Tuesday December 1, 2009
Powerful explosion rips through restaurant
By NELSON BENJAMIN
JOHOR BARU: A powerful explosion ripped through a mamak restaurant in Stulang Darat here yesterday, jolting dozens of nearby residents from their sleep.
No one was injured in the 2.15am incident, which was believed to have been caused by a powerful bomb made of plastic explosives.
Danger zone: Firemen inspecting the damaged portion of the Stulang Corner after a bomb explosion destroyed the restaurant’s back wall and ceiling yesterday. Its impact destroyed the Stulang Corner restaurant’s back wall and ceiling, sending debris scattered several metres away.
The explosion, the first of its kind in the state, also caused zinc sheets to fell a palm tree in front of the shop.
A car parked behind the restaurant was also damaged.
Stulang Corner was under renovation, and was supposedto open on Saturday.
Massive damage: A policeman from the Forensics Unit checking for evidence at the scene of the blast in Johor Baru yesterday. Police have dismissed the possibility of it being a terrorist act, saying investigations pointed towards business rivalry or sabotage.
It is learnt that the explosive devices were thrown into the restaurant through a ventilation hole in the kitchen.
At press time, a forensics team from Bukit Aman was assisting their counterparts in Johor to ascertain the type of bomb used.
Samples have also been sent to the chemistry department for analysis.
Nearby flat resident S. Devi, said she and her family were asleep when a loud explosion awakened them.
Stulang Corner manager Tahir. “We thought something had happened at the five-storey flats. Most of the residents started evacuating the two blocks,” she said,
She added that they were shocked to see the condition of the restaurant after the blast. Restaurant manager Tahir Ali, 39, said renovation works had been going on for the past two months.
“We have been getting the place ready and have never had any problems,” he said, estimating losses to be between RM100,000 and RM150,000.
Johor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said the Johor Baru (South) OCPD had been tasked with supervising the investigations.
“So far, there is no indication of any form of terrorism or extremism involved,” he said at the scene.
“This is purely due to business rivalry as someone did not want this shop to open at the end of the week.” He urged those with information to contact the police hotline at 07-2212999.
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