ALOR GAJAH: An early morning explosion damaged a bank in Masjid Tanah and sent shockwaves across the town, about 11km from here.
The blast resulted from a botched attempt to blow up an automated teller machine (ATM) at the Bank Rakyat branch in Taman Bandar Baru, where witnesses saw four men with full-faced helmets and black jackets fleeing the scene in two motorcycles at about 3.30am yesterday.
The suspects fled upon hearing police sirens heading towards the bank.
There were no casualties but the blast damaged the ATM and two cash deposit machines at the front portion of the bank.
The blast resulted from a botched attempt to blow up an automated teller machine (ATM) at the Bank Rakyat branch in Taman Bandar Baru, where witnesses saw four men with full-faced helmets and black jackets fleeing the scene in two motorcycles at about 3.30am yesterday.
The suspects fled upon hearing police sirens heading towards the bank.
There were no casualties but the blast damaged the ATM and two cash deposit machines at the front portion of the bank.
Police have cordoned off the blast site.
At the same time, Malacca police chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Chuah Ghee Lye has ordered his men to beef up security at financial institutions in rural areas in the state.
He has also set up a task force to investigate the incident, which he described as a “high profile” case.
“We will not leave any stone unturned and are working hard to identify the culprits that placed the explosives in the bank,” he said.
SAC Chuah said Malacca police had sought the help of the forensic department in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, to probe the incident and quickly nab the perpetrators.
The police have yet to determine the type of explosives used and the mechanism applied to detonate the device.
According to a source, CCTV footage showed two men placing the explosives minutes earlier at the ATM and they then waited outside the bank for the bomb to detonate.
An eyewitness, Azran Yakoob, 38 said he was on his way to pack some food for sahur when he heard a thunderous blast.
B. Rajkumaran, 34, who was collecting newspapers nearby, said he was jolted by the blast.
“I was shaken by the blast that rattled the building I was standing close to,” he said.
The incident is being investigated under Section 457and Section 436 of the Penal Code and Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957, which carries a jail term of up to seven years or a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.
Source : Click
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