Penang Bombs

[John K]

PENANG, Malaysia - A homemade bomb filled with nails and bullet casings exploded outside a shopping mall on a Malaysian resort island, killing one man and injuring another, authorities said Monday.

Police said the small, crude bomb went off Sunday night while scores of people were watching a singing competition outside the popular Prangin Mall on Malaysia's northern island of Penang.

Officials ruled out "any terrorist or subversive links," saying it seemed to be the work of amateurs and was probably motivated by "plain mischief or business rivalries," Penang's criminal investigations police chief, Syed Ismail Syed Azizan, said.

The explosion killed Malaysian swimming coach Yeoh Kok Siew, 47. Another man was hospitalized with light injuries.

Police have not detained any suspects.

Malaysia, a mostly Muslim nation in Southeast Asia known for its moderate Islam, has cracked down hard on terrorism, having arrested dozens of suspected militants since 2001.