PUTRAJAYA: The police are investigating whether the recent attacks, including the fatal Ulu Tiram station incident, were coordinated or carried out randomly, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He emphasised the seriousness with which his ministry and the police are treating the matter, as they investigate four recent incidents: trespassing at Istana Negara, attacks on two police stations, and a death threat to a Member of Parliament.
“The police investigation will determine whether the attacks were coordinated or random, and whether they were carried out by an individual or a group,” he said at a press conference during the 70th anniversary of the Film Censorship Board (LPF) event yesterday.
“Some of the cases, like the incident involving the police station in Penang, had a drunk (alcoholic) element. We will promptly investigate these cases to discern the motives, reasons and plots behind the actions of these individuals or groups,” he added.
Saifuddin Nasution also assured that police will continue to be vigilant to prevent any further incidents.
“To ensure the peace and security of the public is the police’s main commitment and there is no compromise on that matter,” he said.
He also advised the public not to speculate or make assumptions and to allow the police to conduct their investigation.
“We understand that the recent cases might raise concern and worry among the public. This is why we urge the public not to spread the issue on social media.
“The police is monitoring anyone spreading speculation or sharing baseless opinions that could hinder the ongoing investigation,” he added.
On Sunday, a 35-year-old man was arrested after attempting to attack a policeman and grab a MP5 submachine gun from the officer at the Dato Keramat police station in Penang.
The assailant, suspected to be intoxicated, attempted to enter the station around 4am, shouting profanities at the security post.
In an incident last Friday, two policemen at the Ulu Tiram station in Johor were killed and another injured after an attack by a 21-year old man, who was shot dead.
The attack was initially linked to a militant group, but was later dismissed by officials after an investigation.
The assault on the Ulu Tiram police station marks the fourth incident since 2017 where policemen on duty have been either injured or killed.
On the same day, two local men, aged 29 and 37, were remanded after police found a machete in their car when they attempted to enter Istana Negara to meet His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia.
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok disclosed on Sunday that she received a threatening letter containing two bullets in her home’s mailbox.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa confirmed that the two men who tried to trespass into Istana Negara last Friday have been brought before the court and charged accordingly.
“Both have been charged under Section 447/511 of the Penal Code. Both pleaded guilty,” he said.
One of the two men was also additionally charged under Section 6 (1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958.
“The suspect did not plead guilty to that charge,” he added.
