It's confirmed. The explosion which killed one person and injured another near a shopping mall in Penang last night was caused by a bomb.

According to state CID chief Syed Ismail Syed Azizan said the police reached this conclusion after the discovery of several iron pieces, nails and spent bullets found scattered around the scene of the incident

However, he said the bomb was low-powered with its explosion strength between 30 and 40 feet, which is almost equivalent to those released from firecrackers or fireworks.

Bernama quoted Syed Ismail as saying that the explosive device had a delayed fuse almost similar to a firecracker wick and was placed inside a bush of ornament flowers along a pedestrian walk.

He said four spent bullets and more than 20 old nails of about 8cm length each were found at the site.

"Probably weaponry powder and chemical substance like sulphur were used to prepare the explosive," he added

In the 9pm incident, swimming coach Yeoh Kok Siew, 47, died at the scene while another man, Wong Boon Tat,66 was injured in the explosion.

Earlier report last night said the incident was believed to have been caused by an electric switch box that exploded when the victims were watching a singing contest organised by an entertainment outlet there.

Even Penang Chief Minister Dr Koth Tsu Koon (right) had advised the public not to believe rumours that the explosion was caused by a bomb.

Don't panic

Ruling out any links with terrorism, Syed Ismail said business problems, individuals with ill-intention or an act of warning towards certain parties could be among the possible motives behind the incident.

It was not possible that the explosive had been prepared by professionals as the explosive was of low power, he noted

"Anyone with the knowledge of making fireworks or firecrackers and just a little knowledge of making explosive could also do it like making mortar or bamboo cannon," he said.

No arrest had been made in connection with the case as yet and the police have urged the public not to panic as the situation was under control.

Meanwhile, Koh who was also present at the press conference said Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in their investigation also found that the explosion had nothing to do with its switch box.

'I cannot believe'

Meanwhile, Kok Siew's brother Kok Aun, 44, told The Star that his brother was at Prangin Mall to fetch his wife who was working at one of the shops there.

"While waiting for his wife to finish her day's work, Kok Siew went over to Cosmic Leisure Cafe to give moral support to our younger brother who was participating in a singing contest.

"I cannot believe that my brother died this way," he said.

Kok Siew, from Prangin Estate, left behind a wife Chow Choy Lin, 42, and a two-year-old daughter Kai Ying.