[UPDATED] International schools get bomb threats

SEVERAL international schools across the country have received bomb threats through anonymous emails, causing some of them to order evacuations of all students and staff. The pupils were either allowed to head home or were kept outside the school buildings. 

In a circular sighted by The Vibes, several schools within the International Schools Partnership (ISP) network have apparently recorded the threats to their physical safety. 

As per ISP protocols – even though it is suspected that the threats were hoaxes – the schools immediately contacted police for further advice and action.

Police responded swiftly to the calls and are currently at the affected schools to provide guidance.  

Most of the schools have evacuated the buildings so that checks could be carried out. 

In one school, all the children were taken safely to an open-air basketball court while police were on the premises. 

Northeast district police acting head V. Saravanan confirmed the threats, saying there are two schools in Penang that received them. 

“We are investigating, and we will issue more information once we get the clearance.” 

It is understood that one of the schools is located in Tanjung Bungah on the island.

Several international schools in the Klang Valley also received the threats, forcing evacuation of students and staff.  

The New Straits Times reported Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan as confirming that police have received reports on such threats from seven international schools.  

Two of these schools are in Petaling Jaya, another two in Shah Alam, while the others are in Kajang, Subang Jaya, and Kuala Langat. 

“I can confirm there are seven in Selangor. We are still investigating the matter,” Hussein was quoted as saying by NST. 

Meanwhile, two other international schools in Kuala Lumpur also received the same threats.  

Kuala Lumpur police chief Allaudeen bin Abdul Majid was reported as confirming that both schools are in Wangsa Maju, and that the police are investigating the matter.  

The Star reported that the school in Kajang was evacuated after receiving an email about the threat sometime between 9.30am and 10am today. 

Parents of the students were notified to immediately come and pick them up, the daily’s portal said.

Reports also emerged of three other international schools in Johor also getting the same kind of bomb threats.

The Star quoted Johor police chief commissioner Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat as saying the three schools received an email each that claimed a bomb had been planted in their premises.   Bomb disposal teams and K9 sniffer dogs were immediately sent to the schools to help determine if any explosives were present. By evening today, there were no traces of such devices reported. – The Vibes, November 21, 2023.