Tension gripped one of the country's busiest banking districts today after the Bursa Malaysia complex here at Bukit Kewangan had to be evacuated following a bomb threat.

The following is the chronology of the incident:

9am:
It was business as usual as employees of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) and tenants of the building milled about doing their usual routines.

12.01pm:
The Bursa Malaysia General office received an anonymous call alerting them about the presence of a bomb in the premises. The anonymous caller said the alleged bomb would be detonated after Friday prayer.

The threat also involved the Sri Ganesar Court Hill Temple on Jalan Pudu Lama, located behind the Maybank headquarters on Jalan Tun Perak.

Four calls were placed on similar threat.

Bomb scare

1pm:
People were prevented from entering the 15-storey building. Bursa Malaysia issued a directive for all its employees to evacuate the building. Astro AWANI staff were also prevented from entering the premises located at the annex of the Bursa Malaysia complex.

1.20pm:
Police cordoned off the area. Several roads including Jalan Pudu Lama, Persiaran Maybank near Jalan Raja Chulan were also closed.

1.40 pm
The K9 unit and members of the Kuala Lumpur police explosive and ordinance team were immediately dispatched to comb the building for suspicious material.

LIVE UPDATE: Police confirm bomb hoax at Bursa Malaysia complex

3pm
A police spokesman said no explosive material was found. Thorough inspections were ongoing.

3.24 pm
Bursa Malaysia's Building Safety chief, SI Mispan Kaliman confirmed that the premises was fully secured and tenants are allowed to enter.

3.30pm
Business at Bursa Malaysia and Astro AWANI continued as usual.

5.10 pm
Trading continued despite bomb threat, said Bursa Malaysia Bhd in a statement, issued not long after the news about the bomb scare broke.