POLICE in Nilai have extended the remand of a 62-year-old man suspected of involvement in an improvised explosive device explosion in Desa Palma, as investigations continue into what authorities believe was a revenge-driven act.
Negri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said the remand order has been extended for seven days from Sunday until Jan 10, following approval by Magistrate Sara Afiqah Zulkipli at Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital.
The extension came after the suspect’s initial remand period ended on Saturday.
“The extension is to allow further investigations to be carried out under Sections 307 and Section 435 of the Penal Code and Section 4 of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act,” he said in a statement today.
The suspect was arrested on Dec 27 at about 4.15pm in the Batang Benar area, Nilai, several days after the Dec 22 explosion.
He was found with burn injuries to his face, body, hands and legs, which police believe were sustained during the blast.
Authorities said items seized from the suspect’s rented house, including devices and specialised equipment, indicate that he possesses technical knowledge and skills related to the fabrication of explosive materials.
Nilai district police chief Superintendent Johari Yahya said preliminary investigations suggest the homemade explosive device was constructed out of resentment towards the suspect’s former girlfriend.
“At present, we are still interrogating the suspect, as his health has not fully permitted it and he is still undergoing treatment, but he is in stable condition,” he said when contacted today.
“Based on the questioning, the suspect admitted to making the IED out of revenge against his ex-girlfriend. They reportedly separated five years ago,” he added.
Johari said the suspect’s statements have at times been inconsistent due to his medical condition, although investigators have been able to corroborate key elements of the case through other means.
“Based on witness testimony from the suspect’s neighbour, the elderly man has indeed suffered from depression following the breakup with his girlfriend. The suspect often spoke to the witness about his ex-girlfriend,” he said.
“This testimony strengthens the suspect’s admission regarding his grudge against his former partner,” he added.
Police subsequently applied for an extension of the remand to complete investigations before referring the case to the prosecution. The application was heard and approved today at Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital.
It was previously reported that the suspect had been hiding in a forested area near Batang Benar after the explosion and was discovered by members of the public, who alerted the police.
His arrest also led to the discovery of a motorcycle and several other improvised explosive devices believed to be in his possession.
In the Dec 22 incident, an explosion occurred inside a car while the suspect was reportedly handling the device, before fleeing the scene.
The case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code, Section 435 of the Penal Code, and Section 4 of the Explosives, Corrosive and Scheduled Weapons Act 1958. - January 3, 2025
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