Two friends detained over a bomb hoax at the Federal Court building in Kuala Lumpur yesterday said they were joking about the polices bomb disposal robot when they suddenly realised the bag suspected of containing the explosive belonged to one of them.

The duo — S Jayathas, 35 and N Pushpalinggam, 57 — who were released from police custody this morning, said they were shocked to find police personnel checking the bag.

The hoax led to the postponement of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahims appeal hearing against his corruption conviction. The hearing continued today.

We were just standing with the curious onlookers looking at what the police were doing and joking about the police robot when I discovered that it was my bag which police thought contained a bomb, said Jayathas when met outside the Federal Court building.

Jayathas, who is Keadilan Melaka deputy Youth chief, said he left his bag with the owner of a nearby caf at about 7am and went for breakfast with Pusphalinggam.

After breakfast, we waited in line at the court to be allowed in to watch Anwars trial but because we couldnt get in as the passes had finished, we left again for chapati at another nearby restaurant, he said.

Upon returning from their second meal, the friends discovered a huge crowd gathered outside the building and were told that police were looking for a bomb.

The pair then bumped into the owner of the caf who informed them that it was Jayathas bag which was suspected of containing a bomb.

We quickly went to tell a police officer and they detained us, said Jayathas. They were then taken to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters for questioning and held for the night..

Investigations ongoing

This morning, the pair were brought to the Kuala Lumpur Magistrates court to be remanded but according to Jayathas the police officer in charge received a call informing him that it was not necessary.

They were then released on police bail and told to report back at the police headquarters in a months time.

When contacted, a Dang Wangi spokesperson confirmed their release but declined to reveal further details.

Meanwhile Pusphalinggam, who was also present at the court said he too was shocked over the incident.

I still dont know why I was arrested, added the businessman

The Star today quoted Kuala Lumpur CID chief Kamaruddin Mat Desa as saying that the arrest of the duo had been classified under Section 28 of the Internal Security Act which outlaws the making of false reports.

We are holding them to ascertain if either one of them had made the phone call [about the bomb scare] Kamaruddin said.

A Bukit Aman spokesperson told malaysiakini that the pair were still under investigation but could not confirm if they were being investigated under Section 28 of the ISA.