IPOH: It has been nearly 10 days since residents in several areas reported hearing a mysterious loud boom and feeling tremors, yet authorities are still unable to determine the source of the incident.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad stated that investigations are ongoing, but no official explanation has been released.
"The probe is continuing, but nothing specific has been discovered so far, so we are unable to comment further at this stage.
"This matter involves state security, so only one agency, the police, is handling it. Whatever findings they come up with, it will form the official report," he told reporters after officiating the Malaysian Culinary World Cup 2025 event at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah near here on Friday (June 27).
The loud boom, which occurred around 10.30am on June 18, sparked concern among residents in Chemor, Chepor, and Tanah Hitam.
When asked about the timeframe for the investigation, Saarani said the investigation would continue until the cause is found. "This is not the first time; it has happened a few times in Perak, and there was a similar case in Selangor before," he noted.
The Perak Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) issued a statement today (June 27) saying the source of the loud boom remains unknown, ruling out quarry activities, bomb testing, or sonic booms from jet aircraft.
"The sounds were described as coming from the sky, ranging from moderate to strong in intensity, and were powerful enough to shake windows and walls.
"Similar unexplained phenomena have been reported not only in Ipoh but also in countries including Japan, the United States, Bangladesh, Belgium, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Colombia, Finland, Vanuatu, Italy, Ireland, and Indonesia."
"In Ipoh, such incidents were also recorded in 2012, 2018, and 2024, with the latest occurrence on June 18," the statement added.
The statement also mentioned that preliminary findings indicate the affected areas, where residents most commonly reported hearing the explosions, stretch from Chemor, Klebang, and Meru in the north, to Tambun and Gunung Rapat in the south.
The department will continue conducting geological studies in and around the city to determine the origin of the sounds, but as of now, the exact source remains undetected.
