Indonesian man held at Penang Airport after threatening to blow up jet

An Indonesian man was arrested at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas near here today after he threatened to blow up a jet.

Barat Daya district police chief Supt Lai Fah Him said the 61-year-old man was arrested at the airport terminal before noon after a counter staff contacted the police.

He said the man was due to board a flight to Medan, Indonesia at 12.10 pm.

"The man became agitated after the counter staff told him that he was carrying excess baggage.

"He then started screaming and threatened to bomb the plane and kill all on board. The counter staff immediately alerted her management and was instructed not to allow the man to board the plane and notify the police," he told Bernama.

Lai said not satisfied, the man who works as a farmer, then moved to another counter and purchased another ticket for the 6.15pm flight.

He said the man had arrived here on Sept 12 last year to seek traditional Chinese treatment for urinary problems.

"We also believe he had used a fake passport," he added.