PORT DICKSON: Following the mistaken arrest of a Syrian tourist and his family over possession of a hand grenade-shaped cigarette lighter, the Army has banned the sale of the collectible item at the Army Museum here.
An Army spokesman said inspection of the premises revealed that the lighter and other military paraphernalia replica items, including ‘guns’, were sold by external parties in the museum’s compound.
“The Army Museum has not been involved in the selling of such items, which clearly violates the law of the country.
“However, we have discovered that several sellers are hawking souvenir items with military designs in the parking area of the Museum, and we will make sure that the activities will be stopped immediately,” she said.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar had confirmed yesterday that the Special Task Force on Organised Crime had picked up five people at a hotel in Cameron Highlands and seized a lighter, a replica of a hand grenade.
The Syrian family had travelled to Cameron Highlands following their visit to Port Dickson. They were arrested following a report from a hotel employee there after he discovered an object resembling a grenade inside the tourist’s bag.
Khalid said further investigation revealed that the object was a grenade-shaped lighter, bought by the tourist when he visited the Army Museum, several days prior.