A bomb threat was received at Star Publications (M) Bhd's office in Bayan Baru this morning, the first since the company's Penang headquarters moved to the plant in 2005.

A bomb squad was sent to comb the area at around 11am, Balik Pulau OCPD Supt Mohd Hatta Mohd Zin told the media today.

Staff working in the office were all evacuated during the squad's presence at the four-story building.

"However, by 1.30pm, the police confirmed that it was a hoax," said Mohd Hatta, reconfirmed later by state CID chief Mazlan Kesah.

According to a source, the office receptionist received a call from an unidentified male at about 10.15am that a bomb had been planted in the building.

The source added that as soon as the call was received, the management immediately ordered the staff to vacate the building as this was part of the plant’s standard operating procedure.

“The police were then informed and a bomb squad came by 11am to probe the area,” the source said.

Malaysiakini has attempted to call The Star' s northern region operations manager David Yeoh, but failed to obtain his comments.