NOT THE FIRST TIME RDD GONE MISSING

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Intense investigations are being carried out into the missing Radioactive Dispersal Device (RDD) containing the radioactive isotope Iridium 192 which was reported missing on Aug 10.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said this was not the first time the device had gone missing as the first case was reported last year.

“This incident is not the first and it is understood that it also happened last year. However, nobody has come formation with information of its discovery,” he told reporters after the Mega 1.0 community effort to combat the aedes mosquito at the Royal Malaysia  Police (PDRM) level here today.

Mohamad Fuzi was commenting on a report in a local newspaper of the missing 23-kilogramme RDD which cost about RM75,000, belonging to a company in Shah Alam.

The device was reported missing as it being brought back from Seremban to the factory in Shah Alam by two technicians between 2 am to 3 am on Aug 10.

The device which emits beta and gamma radiation could be misused including by terrorists to make bombs.

Mohamad Fuzi also confirmed two of the company’s employees who were remanded one day after the incident were released on Friday after a statement was recorded from both men who are locals.

In a separate development, Mohamad Fuzi said PDRM was working with Thailand authorities to investigate a report and identify the suspects following the discovery of a bomb in Narathiwat, South Thailand which had allegedly been made here.

“We are working with the Thai authorities to identify the suspects involved,” he said.

Yesterday, Kelantan Police Chief  Datuk Hasanuddin Hassan said the report on the discovery of the bomb and the name of eight suspects will be handed over to Bukit Aman. 

This follows Thailand’s Royal Police discovered 41 homemade bombs and explosives in a pickup truck which was stopped in a roadblock in Kampung Saring, in the Takbai in June.

-- BERNAMA