TWO Chinese tourists have been arrested in Tawau, Sabah, after allegedly sending a bomb threat via email to an airline’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, following a dispute over seat arrangements on a domestic flight.
The suspects, a 28-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man, were reportedly frustrated after receiving no response from a travel agent regarding their request to change seats for a flight from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu. The couple, who had recently been vacationing in Semporna, were due to board the flight on the same day the email was sent.
In a statement, Tawau District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Jasmin Hussin, confirmed that police received a report from airline staff at 3pm on Monday after the company’s Kuala Lumpur headquarters received the alarming message.
“Following the report, police detained the couple and brought them to the Tawau District Police Headquarters for further investigation,” he said.
Magistrate Dayang Aidaku Amira Aminuddin has since issued a four-day remand order, effective until 27 September, to facilitate police investigations.
Jasmin added that the case is being investigated under Section 506 and Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and making statements likely to cause public alarm, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.
No actual explosive device was found, and the flight in question was not compromised. The authorities have not ruled out further action pending the outcome of the investigation. - September 23, 2025
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