Don't jump to conclusions over detained Malaysian ship in Bali: IGP

PUTRAJAYA: Police are liaising with Indonesian authorities to ascertain reports that a ship from Malaysia which had 30 tonnes of fertiliser has been detained in Bali over terrorism suspicions.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said they have already made contact with Indonesian authorities to authenticate the claim.
He said that, as of now, there is nothing concrete to suggest that the ship could be related to terrorism.
It was reported yesterday that Indonesian authorities on the resort island of Bali detained a ship from Malaysia carrying the vast amount of fertiliser which police believe may have been used in making bombs.
Customs and police were questioning the crew and investigating the material for potential links to radical networks as the world's largest Muslim-majority nation remains on high alert for militant attacks.
Indonesian authorities were quoted as saying that they will not rule out the possibility that the material was being used by terrorist groups in Sulawesi to make low-impact and high-impact bombs.
Meanwhile, Khalid had called for patience and urged the public not to jump to any conclusions as Malaysian Police do not have the adequate information yet.
"We are not even sure if the fertiliser and ship are from Malaysia … Why are we so jumpy about a Malaysian ship carrying fertiliser?
"If you ask me, that big amount, it wouldn't be for terrorism purposes, if it was for the use of terrorists, their methods will be different," he said at a press conference after launching the 1Aman Week event here today.
He said that the police will conduct a thorough investigation and urged the public to stop speculations.