GEORGE TOWN, Jan 12 — An Indonesian passenger about to board a flight to Kuala Lumpur at the Penang International Airport was arrested after she claimed her luggage contained a bomb.
In the 9.20am incident, the passenger was going through security checks at the domestic departure terminal when she allegedly made the claim.
The 32-year-old was immediately arrested by the Malaysia Airport Berhad’s auxiliary police and her luggage was scanned for explosives.
According to Southwest district police chief Supt Lai Fah Hin, no explosives were found in the luggage and the woman subsequently claimed she was merely joking about the bomb.
She was handed over to the Bayan Lepas police station where she was detained for further investigations.
“A search of the suspect and her belongings did not turn up any illegal items and her urine came out negative for drugs,” he said, adding that the Indonesian Consulate was also informed of the arrest.
The woman will be charged in court tomorrow under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.
Lai said the woman was not the only passenger to have made such claims at the airport.
“This is the fourth such case between 2015 and 2016 and these cases are often due to their dissatisfaction over extra charges for excess luggage weight,” he said in a statement issued today.
He reminded the public, especially those boarding international and domestic flights, to be careful with what they say and to ensure that they do not issue a threat against the safety of other passengers or the plane.
“It is against the law to threaten the safety of others and they are liable to be charged for criminal intimidation,” he said.
Those charged under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation faces a fine of between RM1,000 and RM2,000 or jail or up to seven years or both.
No comments:
Post a Comment