Mentally unwell 17-year-old arrested after making bomb threat at Boon Lay bus interchange

A teenager was seen claiming to be a terrorist armed with a bomb at Boon Lay bus interchange this week. He was heard by bystanders screaming “I am a terrorist” and “I want to die,” this past Wednesday.

The 17-year-old, who is reportedly mentally unwell, was subsequently confronted by a female uniformed staff, at which point the teen said, “Don’t touch me! I am a terrorist. I am going to detonate the bomb!”

When a Malay passer-by then called the teen out for being offensive, the teen said, “I am an emotional time bomb!” When other passers-by stopped to see what was going on and began suggesting that someone should call the police, the boy shouted a vulgarity and ran off.

Police confirmed last night that the teen has been arrested for causing a public nuisance. He was caught at Jurong Point shopping mall, which is linked to the bus interchange.

In 2013, a 14-year-old was arrested after making bomb hoax calls to the police mergency hotline, 999. Former Assistant Commissioner of Police Keok Tong San said at the time:

“Making bomb threats is a serious offence. Police take all terrorist threats seriously and will deal sternly with those responsible for perpetuating such offences.”

Under Regulation 8(1) of the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Regulations, it is an offence for a person to communicate or make available by any means any information which he knows or believes to be false to another person, with the intention of inducing in him or any other person a false belief that a terrorist act has been, is being or will be carried out.

Those found guilty of committing the offence shall be subject to a maximum fine of $100,000 and/or a jail term not exceeding 5 years.