Explosions Reported at Ruling Party Operations Centres

By The Star | Source: AsiaOne

A Molotov cocktail was hurled into a Barisan Nasional operations centre near Buntong here, partly damaging a party flag.

Perak police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Shukri Dahlan said the Molotov cocktail did not fully explode on impact and only caused minimal damage during the 5am incident yesterday.

“A police patrol vehicle nearby managed to track down a red car after being informed about the incident and gave chase.

“About 5km from the centre, the car skidded to the side of the road but the three suspects in the vehicle managed to flee on foot,” he said here yesterday.

DCP Mohd Shukri later found two Molotov cocktails and five parang in the car.

“The car was reported stolen in Kota Damansara,” he said, adding that the case would be investigated under Section 435 of the Penal Code for committing mischief by fire.

Barisan candidate for the Jelapang state seat S. Mokan said he rushed to the centre upon hearing about the incident from a supporter at 6am.

“I rushed to the scene and saw some items on fire,” he said, adding that besides the flag, a table and some newspapers had also been burnt.

“Fortunately, the damage is not severe and no one got hurt,” said Mokan.

In Tapah, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said he was saddened by the incident, denouncing it as “not Malaysia’s style when holding elections”.

He said the country had been through many elections but it had never experienced incidents such as arson attempts and fights in the run-up to the polls.

“I urge the people of Perak not to be led down this path. It will not put the nation in good light,” he said after a ground-breaking ceremony for a new surau in Air Kuning.

Later, DCP Mohd Shukri said police would increase their patrols by two-fold, especially at night when most political events such as ceramah are held.

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