Police to seek Interpol’s help on Sarawak convenience store attacks

Police will seek assistance from international law enforcement agencies, including Interpol, to track down several individuals believed to have fled the country in connection with recent attacks on convenience stores in several parts of Sarawak.

Sarawak police commissioner Zainal Abdullah said three individuals had been arrested so far, while about 10 others had been identified as being linked to the group.

“We have identified about 10 individuals so far, and there may be more from this group. Some have been identified as having fled the country,” he told reporters after attending the Sarawak police contingent’s monthly assembly today.

He said the incidents were believed to have stemmed from a business dispute, including the sale of top-ups allegedly used for online gambling activities.

Zainal said police had also identified the misuse of business licences by some convenience stores involved in selling the top-ups, and would write to the local authorities for further action.

On Sept 21, Zainal said police were hunting suspects linked to attacks on convenience stores in Kuching and Sri Aman on Sept 20, in which objects believed to contain explosive or flammable materials were thrown at the premises.

Police received two reports on the incidents, which had similar modus operandi.

Zainal also said the police were close to completing their investigation into the Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash in Long Lellang, the cause of which has yet to be determined.

He said investigations had found no indication of sabotage.

“We believe the incident may have been caused by technical problems, but this will depend on the investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau, which will announce its findings,” he added.