GEORGW TOWN, October 2 – On 02 October 2021 at 9.37 am, three (3) videos lasting 1 minute, 36 seconds and 4 seconds respectively were uploaded by the owner of the twitter account NanManjoi8715, showing the fights of several individuals in a public place. On 30 September 2021 at approximately 11.22 pm the operations room of the North East District Police Headquarters (IPD), Penang received a call via the MERS 999 system from the public informing of a fight incident between a group of individuals at Petron Petrol Station, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town , Penang.
Acting on the complaint, on 30 September 2021 at approximately 11.45 pm a team of officers and policemen from the Criminal Investigation Division (BSJD) of the North East IPD, Penang arrived at the scene and arrested three (3) Chinese men. As a result of further interrogation, on 1 October 2021 between 3 am and 8 am, the police from BSJD IPD Timur Laut together with the D7 team of the Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ) of the Penang Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK) made follow -up arrests on nine (9) other Chinese men around George Town, Penang on suspicion of being involved in the incident of the fight which made the total number of arrests as many as twelve (12) people.
Based on the initial investigation conducted, the fight stemmed from the act of looking between 2 groups of Chinese men while drinking 1 liquor at a restaurant near the scene. The aftermath of the act has led to quarrels and eventually led to fights by using bottles of alcohol as weapons. All the suspects arrested were between 20 and 39 years old and were from around George Town. 5 of the suspects suffered minor head and body injuries. A review of past criminal records found 3 of the suspects had been arrested for criminal and drug offenses.
The results of the urine screening test found that all the suspects were free from taking any type of drug. All suspects were remanded for three (3) days until October 3, 2021. The case is being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for possession of a weapon during a riot. Further investigations are still underway. Taking a lesson from this incident, the PDRM would like to advise the public not to engage in any act that could endanger themselves and others. Use the flexibility provided by the current government during the COVID-19 crisis period to carry out more beneficial activities.
