Object held by Syrian was just a lighter replica of a grenade

PORT DICKSON - The “grenade” that was spotted at a hotel in Port Dickson, and which sparked fear and a police manhunt for a Syrian family, was actually a lighter shaped like a grenade.

Federal police yesterday detained five members of a Syrian family in Cameron Highlands and discovered the truth of the matter.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said late last night the object was actually a hand grenade replica lighter, according to a report in The Sun.

“The family had visited a military museum at Port Dickson and bought a hand grenade replica lighter within its premises,” he said in a Twitter message.

Federal police took over investigations from district police yesterday following claims that a Syrian man who was holidaying with his family here was in possession of an object that resembled a hand grenade.

The family had checked into two rooms at the hotel with six family members at noon on Monday, said The Sun report.

As the family was checking out of the hotel, a staff who entered the room to tidy it found a bag under a mattress and spotted a “grenade”. Just as the management was being alerted to the find, the Syrian man walked into the room, grabbed the bag and hurriedly left, according to the report.

Police were immediately alerted, with Port Dickson police chief Supt Adzil Abu Shah saying although it was unknown at that juncture if it was a real grenade or a toy, police were taking no chances, especially in view of the Islamic State threat.