BALIK PULAU: Police are tracking down a foreign national suspected of stealing RM60,000 from a passenger's backpack on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Penang.
Balik Pulau OCPD Asst Comm Anuwal Ab Wahab said they received a report from a 54-year-old man on Thursday (Sept 24) claiming the cash went missing during the flight.
"Based on the report, the complainant realised that the cash, which he had kept in a backpack, was missing after he arrived at Penang International Airport.
"He suspected that a foreign national who was on the same flight was involved in the incident," he said in a statement on Friday (Sept 25).
ACP Anuwal said police have obtained information on the passengers and are examining closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to establish the suspect's movements.
"Efforts to track down the individual are ongoing. The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft," he said.
He said the latest incident was another case involving the loss or attempted theft of passengers' belongings on board an aircraft reported within a short period.
On Sept 17, police received a report of an attempted theft on board an aircraft that arrived in Penang.
A 55-year-old Chinese national detained in connection with the case is expected to be charged at the Balik Pulau Magistrate's Court today, also under Section 379, read together with Section 511 for attempting to commit an offence that is punishable by imprisonment.
ACP Anuwal advised the public to remain vigilant and ensure that personal belongings, especially cash and valuables, are kept secure and under their supervision when using public transport, including flights.
He also urged the public not to speculate on the cases in ways that could affect the police investigation.
