Former Kelantan Umno strongman Ibrahim Ali claimed that Friday's 'spray attack' was aimed at preventing former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad from addressing the crowd at the Sultan Ismail Petra airport.

Speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today to clarify the incident, Ibrahim denied reports that he was the target of the attack.

He said if the assailant had intended to attack him, the person would not have waited until both Mahathir and him entered a waiting four-wheel drive vehicle.

In view of this, he concluded that the spray attack was aimed at stopping Mahathir from thanking the crowd for his reception through the sunroof of the vehicle.

'It was sabotage'

Recalling the incident, Ibrahim said suddenly several hands were stuck through the vehicle's window and then he heard the sound of spraying similar to that of an aerosol can.

Following this, Mahathir dropped the loud-hailer on Ibrahim, who was suffering from severe chest pains, followed by coughing and eye irritation.

"I thought I was having a heart attack," exclaimed Ibrahim, adding that he was semi-conscious when dragged out of the four-wheel drive.

The former deputy minister said he was oblivious that Mahathir had been dragged away immediately after the attack in a black car allegedly arranged by former Kuala Krai Umno leader Nik Sapeia Nik Yusoff.

"(The attack) was meant to either sabotage or delay the (Mahathir) events," he said in response to a question.

He also accused Nik Sapeia of attempting to delay the events by various means, but stopped short of holding him responsible for the spray attack.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the police have extended the remand of a 'Datuk' who was arrested in connection with the incident till tomorrow.

The unknown 'Datuk' - who is believed to be a former Kelantan Umno leader - is presently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kota Bharu.

Men in black

In a related development, Ibrahim said a powerful third-party may have hired the seven soldiers to act as Mahathir's bodyguards during his visit to Kelantan.

"They were big sized [...] wearing black jackets. I thought they were officers from the police department, but I couldn't be bothered (then)," he said, adding that he was busy making preparations for Mahathir's reception at the time.
Ibrahim, who co-organised the event, said the men in jackets descended from several black cars parked right next to his convoy of vehicles meant to take Mahathir to a hotel from the Sultan Ismail Petra airport.

According to Kelantan police chief Zulkifli Abdullah, the seven were questioned by the police and it was confirmed that they were hired for the event.

The New Straits Times reported today that acting Eighth Brigade commander Lt Kol Norizan Ahmad said the seven soldiers had abeen placed under camp detention pending investigation.