Seized lorry hijacked in Malaysia

ALOR STAR - A GROUP of 20 men pulled a daring daylight hijacking at a busy intersection in Simpang Kuala here on Thursday.

A Royal Malaysian Customs team was blocked while it was escorting a lorry that had been seized for failing to declare its grains shipment.

It was learnt that prior to the 1.55pm incident, the eight-man team had impounded the lorry at a rice mill in Pendang for failing to declare its consignment.

The team then ordered the lorry to be driven back to its headquarters here for further investigation.

Kota Setar police chief Assistant Commissioner Adzaman Mohd Jan said according to the police report, a group of 20 men, who were travelling in four vehicles, had blocked the department's convoy of two four-wheel-drive vehicles at the intersection.

"The men had allegedly demanded the team to return the lorry to them and used force on the driver.

"Fearing for their safety, the team members agreed to release the lorry and its consignment before lodging a police report."

It was learnt that the team claimed the men were armed during the incident.

However, none of the team members was injured.

Police have classified the case under Section 395 of the Penal Code for gang robbery and Section 353 of the same Act for the use of criminal force to prevent a government servant from discharging his duty.