Police have confirmed that the hoax bomb threat at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) was not an act of malice, but a misunderstanding stemming from a personal note left by a student for his coursemate.
KLIA district police chief Assistant Commissioner Azman Shariat said investigations showed the suspect had scribbled the alarming message — which sparked a full emergency response — simply to stop a coursemate from tampering with his bag.
“There was no criminal motive. The note was meant for his coursemate, not the public,” he said.
The suspect was remanded for three days to assist investigations before the case file was forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for review. He has since been released on police bail.
The scare unfolded at 5.32pm yesterday at KLIA Terminal 1, shortly before the suspect’s flight was due to depart. A note reading, “Please don’t take, there is a bomb,” was found on a bag, prompting aviation security and police to cordon off the area and activate bomb-threat protocols.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) said all passengers remained safe throughout the operation. The affected flight eventually departed at 7.19pm with the remaining passengers.
Aviation security teams, police, and the bomb disposal unit conducted a thorough assessment before issuing a stand-down order at 8.58pm, confirming the threat was false. Airport operations continued without disruption.
MAHB reminded travellers that false threats — even unintentional ones — are taken seriously and can lead to severe consequences.
The incident briefly caused delays and confusion, with social media users claiming that KLIA operations had been halted. Photos circulating online showed the handwritten note that triggered the alarm.
Authorities said despite the lack of malicious intent, such actions can create unnecessary panic and disrupt airport operations.
