Police have detained two men to assist investigations into the robbery attempt where a man tried to bomb open an ATM in Bayan Baru here in the early hours of Tuesday.

Barat Daya district police chief Supt Lai Fah Hin said the duo aged 25 an 30 were picked up separately in Air Itam here at 9pm Tuesday.

"Both were loan sharks," he told Bernama.

In the attempt at 3.45am, a man fled empty-handed after his attempt to blow up the ATM with homemade explosives went awry.