USM ‘bomber’ freed on police bail

The student was released to allow him to sit for his examination.

GEORGE TOWN: A University Sains Malaysia (USM) student who allegedly posted threatening message against the prime minister has been freed on police bail, Penang police chief Ayub Yaakob said.

He said the student was released for a month to allow him to sit for his examination.

The student admitted that the posting on his social media web page was made on his own free will and that he was just joking, he added.

Police would call him anytime should there be a need to do so for the purpose of investigation, he said.

“He is a fourth-year engineering student and is sitting for his examination,” he told reporters after the state police’s monthly gathering here, today.

The 24-year-old student allegedly posted a message to bomb the helicopter which will carry the prime minister for a visit to the university next week.

He was arrested at 1.30pm yesterday. The case is being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation which carries two years’ imprisonment or fine or both.

“It’s not that we want to stop freedom of speech but as a responsible Malaysian, he should not have abused the freedom and the Internet to cause trouble and anger others.

“This is a serious matter and cannot be regarded as a joke; it involves the safety of a national leader and the public in general,” he said, adding that police would probe deeper into the matter, including the student’s relations with his friends.

Ayub said so far three police reports had been lodged against the student.

-Bernama