SEBERANG PERAI, April 14 — The discovery of a hand grenade in a toilet of a Bukit Mertajam petrol kiosk yesterday is linked to criminal activities in the area, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

The Bagan MP said the Penang Police Chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi had assured him that the situation is under control now.

"He has told me that it is linked to criminal elements," he said while refusing to speculate if it is linked to the May 7 Permatang Pauh by-election or a possible threat by Islamic State militant group.

Yesterday, a black package, believed to contain a hand grenade, was found in the men's toilet at a petrol kiosk in Jalan Kulim at Bukit Mertajam here.

The Bomb Disposal Unit detonated the object about 10 meters away from where it was found at about 12.05am today.

Lim said the pin of the grenade appeared in good condition so it was probably left there recently and not been there for long.

"The police do not know the motives of it being left there but are now investigating it," he said.

He reassured residents in the area that there is no longer any immediate threat.

Police are examining surveillance videos to determine who left the grenade there.