KUALA LUMPUR: Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub said he was perplexed at being the target of a death threat recently after a note and the carcass of a calf was delivered to one of his service centres.

Salahuddin said he even initially thought that the action was merely a prank played on him, before being told by the police that the case was genuine.

“I want to know what’s the suspect’s actual motive, because to my knowledge, I have no enemies, I don’t cause any trouble with anyone and I have never been involved in any fights. But suddenly I receive a threat like this.

“My first reaction is I thought this was just a joke, and I had hope that this matter won’t be prolonged,“ he told reporters when met in Parliament, here, today.

“But when the cops told me that this is a case of threat made against a minister, then I know it’s big. So I will just leave the case to the police,“ he added.

It was previously reported that the carcass and death note was placed in front of the Simpang Jeram service centre in Muar, Johor on Sunday.

Earlier today, Salahuddin’s deputy, Sim Tze Tzin, also confirmed the matter and said they were awaiting the probe’s findings from Inspector-General of Police.

Salahuddin said he had also given his statement to investigating officer in Muar, while noting that the suspect has been remanded to assist in the investigation, which was being probed under Section 507 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.

The Amanah deputy president added that he was not traumatised by the incident, and that he was still capable of carrying out his daily work.

On claims by the police that initial investigations revealed that the suspect was not happy that his aid application to the ministry was rejected, Salahuddin said he could not confirm the matter, but claimed the ministry receives numerous applications for assistance.