![[UPDATED] Tourism Ministry bomb threat a hoax, building declared safe](https://www.scoop.my/canon/uploads/2024/06/05062024-Penjawat-awam-mendapatkan-perlindungan-setelah-menerima-ancaman-bom-di-bangunan-Kementerian-Pelancongan-Seni-dan-Budaya-HALIM-SALLEH-3-scaled.jpg "05062024 - Penjawat awam mendapatkan perlindungan setelah menerima ancaman bom di bangunan Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya - HALIM SALLEH")
PUTRAJAYA – The bomb threat at the 14th floor of the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry complex here turned out to be a hoax, said police.
Putrajaya police chief A. Asmadi Abdul Aziz said the building has been declared safe after checks were carried out by two bomb detection dogs and 10 officers of the bomb disposal unit.
“When the package was opened on the 14th floor, there was a PVC pipe with wires and a timer, resembling a bomb.
“We received an emergency call at 3.21pm. Based on the CCTV recording, the package was picked up for delivery by a J&T courier at 11.19am and arrived at the building lobby at 2.45pm. It was then brought to the 14th floor,” he said in a press conference, here today.
“The staff are allowed to enter to collect their personal items and go home. The police will work with the Fire Department to investigate as the incident has elements of intimidation.”
He added that the building management has been instructed to improve their security measures.
The case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957 on making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances.
If found guilty, the offender is liable to a seven-year jail term, or a fine of RM10,000, or both.
Earlier, staff and visitors were ordered to evacuate the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry complex in Putrajaya due to a bomb threat on the building’s 14th floor. – June 5, 2024