GEORGE TOWN: A man was arrested shortly after attempting to snatch a submachine gun from a policeman at the Datuk Keramat station here, early today.
State police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said police later obtained a four-day remand order to detain the man to facilitate investigations.
He said the case was being probed under sections 353 and 506 of the Penal Code and Section 90 of the Police Act 1967.
"We managed to obtain a four-day remand against the man until May 22 for further investigation," he said.
Hamzah said about 4am today, the policeman on duty at the Datuk Keramat police station was approached by a man, under the influence of alcohol, who ordered them to open the gate while hurling verbal abuses.
He said the policeman warned and advised the suspect to disperse but he refused.
"Instead, he got nearer to the policeman and tried to snatch his Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun, but failed.
"The suspect then took his helmet and tried to attack the policeman, which led to a scuffle during the arrest process," he added.
Hamzah said checks showed the 35-year-old suspect has a criminal record with two previous entries for drug-related offences and another two for other crimes.
However, a urine test came back negative for drug use.
The incident comes amidst heightened security at police stations nationwide.
This followed an attack by a man at the Ulu Tiram police station in Johor which saw two policemen killed and another injured.
Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar died after he was slashed at the back of the neck and head, while Constable Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said was shot.
Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan was also shot and is currently at the red zone of the Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI).
The attacker was initially described as a "lone wolf" Jemaah Islamiyah member, with his family members among those arrested following the attack.
However, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has since said he was not a JI member.
Yesterday, police arrested two men who tried to trespass into Istana Negara with a parang in their car.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa had said the men tried to enter the palace compound via Gate 3 around 4.40pm.
They had claimed they wanted to meet His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.