GEORGE TOWN: The suspicious behaviour of two men on a motorcycle, in front of a shopping complex in Pulau Tikus on Wednesday morning, led police to the discovery of a pistol and five live bullets.
In the 10am incident, policemen on patrol spotted upon the duo, both Thai nationals in their 20s, and stopped them for inspection.
Sources said the foreigners had entered the country last Saturday and had rented a motorcycle for RM30 daily. They were staying at a hotel near the shopping complex.
"The men claimed that they had entered the state to look for a Thai-registered four-wheel drive, which they believed, has since been registered locally.
"They also claimed to have brought the pistol at RM2,000 about two years ago, and claimed it was for self-defence," the source added.
The source also said that investigation showed the two men had entered the state with another friend. Police are looking for the third individual.
"We have yet to determine the authenticity of the men's claims.
"Besides the pistol and live bullets, we also found a small knife on the duo," the source further added.
Meanwhile, northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Anuar Omar said both men would be remanded today to assist investigation into the case under Section 8 of the Firearms Act 1971 and Section 8(a) of the Firearms Act 1960 for possession of the live bullets.