Cops to record Tiong's statement over bomb hoax incident at Tourism Ministry HQ

KUALA LUMPUR: Police will record a statement from Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing on Thursday (June 6) to assist investigation into the bomb hoax incident.

Putrajaya OCPD Asst Comm A. Asmadi Abdul Aziz said police have already recorded statements from other witnesses concerning the incident.

"We expect to record the minister's statement this afternoon to aid the investigation," he said when contacted today.

It has been reported that a suspicious package sent to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry headquarters on Wednesday (June 5) was confirmed as a false "bomb".

ACP Asmadi said that the item looked like a bomb but was proven to be fake after detailed inspections.

"It was constructed with a PVC pipe and a timer. We have determined it is a fake bomb despite its realistic appearance.

"The package was delivered by a courier at 11.19am and reached the 14th floor at 2.45pm. The bomb squad was then summoned, along with bomb-sniffing dogs," he said.

ACP Asmadi said police have recommended the building management implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling packages intended for the minister.

Initial investigations indicate that the package originated from a courier company's branch office in Sungai Buloh.

"We have also secured video footage of the delivery, carried out by a man. We are questioning why the delivery person shook the box and such.

So far, no threatening letters have been found," he added.

ACP Asmadi has urged anyone with information to contact their nearest police station.