MALACCA: A car at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) was set on fire in an arson attack just before midnight, following a bomb threat on the complex at Jalan Hang Tuah here.
The threatening note, placed on the windshield of a nearby car, warned that a bomb had been placed at the centre and also attacked a senior official over an alleged personal issue.
However, a bomb disposal team and a police canine unit combed the area for about four hours but did not find any trace of explosives.
Two security guards managed to stop the flames from the Proton Inspira from spreading to a 4WD vehicle and a Honda Civic that were parked nearby during the 11.30pm incident on Monday.
The UTC management was given an assurance by the police that they could continue the operations at the centre at around 3.30am yesterday.
The building is said to belong to Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (DMDI), which is owned by the state government. It promotes inter-racial and religious activities involving the Malays and Muslims with other national and global communities.
The note that came with the bomb threat was apparently targeted at DMDI board of directors member and general manager Mashita Datuk Wira Ismail.
It read: Dalam UTC ada bomb, bomoh lima generasi keluarga, Mana Claim Kami. Layan Kami seperti anjing, 2 tahun perhatiankan kau Mashita.
(There is a bomb inside the UTC, a family of five generations of bomoh, which is our claim. Treated us like dogs for two years. we are watching you Mashita).
Mashita, who was engaged in a lengthy meeting with DMDI president Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam and the police, declined to comment.
Mohamed Ali said: “We are working closely with the police. We will give any assistance required in the investigations.”
State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Chuah Ghee Lye said CCTV recording revealed that a man was seen loitering at the site about 45 minutes before the incident.
“The preliminary probe revealed that petrol was used to spark the fire and the man fled soon after the car was ablaze,” he said. DCP Chuah said the motive behind the arson and the bomb threat was being probed under Section 435 and 506 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire and criminal intimidation.
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