KUALA LUMPUR – Police bomb squads conducted extensive searches in schools across districts in Selangor in response to a series of threatening emails today but confirmed the entire incident to be a hoax.
Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said police had received seven reports regarding the threats made to the schools in the Kajang, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Langat, Subang Jaya and Shah Alam areas.
The threatening messages, purportedly sent by an individual using the email address [email protected], claimed that explosives had been strategically planted in the schools involved, he said.
However, after extensive examinations carried out by the Selangor police bomb disposal unit, authorities confirmed that no explosives were found in any of the schools targeted by the threats. The investigation concluded at 1pm today, Hussein said.
Hussein revealed that the email in question was disseminating false information designed to instigate fear among schools and parents.
He urged schools and parents not to succumb to panic upon receiving such threats but rather promptly report the matter to police for the necessary actions.
“This is to avoid creating anxiety among the public who were uncertain of the veracity of the information,” Hussein said.
He said law enforcement agencies, including police and the Communications and Multimedia Commission, are actively collaborating to uncover the motive behind the false email.
The public is cautioned against spreading any misinformation that could incite fear, anxiety and disrupt public harmony.
In a stern warning, Hussein also reminded the public of the legal consequences associated with spreading fake news.
He said perpetrators, if convicted under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code addressing written or verbal fake news, may face up to two years in prison, a fine, or both.
“Police will not hesitate to take action against any parties involved in the spread of fake news,” he said.
It was reported earlier that a number of international schools have allegedly received security threats, leading to certain institutions contacting police and evacuating their premises.
According to a circular issued by one of the affected schools in the Klang Valley, it has closed for the day as a precautionary measure.
“As a precaution, we have decided that we are going to close our school early. We have been watching the situation with other schools and spoken to the police. I feel this is the best course of action, although the police have not said we have to (close the school).
“We still believe this is a hoax, but are acting with safety as our priority,” said the circular sighted by Scoop.
The circular added that parents are required to collect their children as soon as possible.
In a separate message shared with Scoop, an individual claimed that several international schools in Malaysia received an anonymous email this morning, suggesting a safety issue at the institutions.
The message added that police are on site to provide guidance during the evacuation. – November 21, 2023