Negeri Sembilan police say suspect in Desa Palma blast has technical skills in making explosives, with 31 IEDs found and destroyed at his rented house
SEREMBAN: The suspect in the Desa Palma, Nilai explosion is believed to possess technical knowledge and special skills in making explosives.
Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said this assessment was based on devices and equipment seized from the rented house of Yeoh Hock Sun, 62, including explosive devices, flammable cleaning agents, and carbon and sulphur elements.
“Investigations found that the suspect has knowledge in the field of chemistry and had worked in a pharmaceutical factory for three years, as well as knowledge in the field of information technology,” he said at a press conference.
He said the assessment of the explosives found they were in perfect condition in terms of material and device preparation, including timers and sensors, with the activity believed to have been carried out over the past six months.
Alzafny classified the man as a dangerous and “highly wanted” individual, believed to be directly involved in preparing the explosives and having a previous criminal case.
An inspection of the house, suspected of being used as a laboratory, also found 31 more improvised explosive devices, all of which were destroyed by police.
The Bomb Disposal Unit’s destruction found the explosives had an explosion radius of up to 20 metres, with fragments capable of reaching 30 metres.
“The fragments used were nails and a folding knife that were finely shredded, so looking at the preparation we interpret that he had the knowledge to prepare a perfect explosive,” Alzafny said.
He said the man is categorised as very dangerous, often wearing a face mask, hat, or a wig when in public.
Interrogation of witnesses found he avoids people, is aggressive, separated from his family over 30 years ago, and has a history of hitting his girlfriend.
The suspect is believed to still be in the state.
Police have recorded statements from 14 witnesses and obtained CCTV recordings from the surrounding area for analysis.
Alzafny asked the public to help track down the elderly man and for any medical centre or pharmacy that suspects he is receiving treatment to inform the police.
“This is because the police believe that in the incident, this man suffered serious injuries…he is currently hiding and may be hidden,” he said, adding the man travels alone with no connection to terrorist groups.
The police found a suspected IED object following an explosion in Desa Palma last Monday after receiving a public report at 7.08 am.
