Cops arrest 36 for ‘squabble’ that led to riot rumours

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 — Kedah police have detained 36 people believed to be involved in what authorities have called a squabble among youths in Sungai Petani that had led to widespread rumours over social media of a race riot.

The authorities moved on Tuesday to calm tensions sparked by the rumours by urging the public not to continue speculation over social media.

Today, Kedah police chief Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim announced the arrests which, he said, were to facilitate investigations into the altercations.

Ahmad said the suspects, aged between 18 and their 30s, were now being detained at the Kuala Muda police headquarters in Sungai Petani, according to a report by national news agency Bernama. 

He said the last arrest was made at 4.30am yesterday around Sungai Petani and police will be detaining several more suspects based on information obtained from investigations.  

“We will be arresting all those involved. Police will not compromise with anyone who carries out provocation to create unrest,” he said at a media conference at the Kedah contingent police headquarters here today. 

On parties spreading rumours through social media, blogs and SMSes that a riot had broken out in Kuala Muda especially in Sungai Petani, Ahmad said the state Commercial CID would act against parties for disseminating false information on the situation.   He said what actually transpired was a minor squabble among a group of youths and not a riot as portrayed in blogs and social media. 

“The situation is calm and the people should give their full co-operation to harmonise the situation. We are also disseminating the correct information on Facebook to the people and we do not have anything to hide,” he said. 

Ahmad also warned rumour mongers to stop spreading provocative and sensational information which could spark race tensions.  

“I have monitored the situation in Sungai Petani and everything is as normal and shops are open. There were no temples or other religious places razed as reported by bloggers,” Ahmad said. 

Yesterday, Kedah deputy police chief Datuk Abdul Ghafar Rajab said police received many telephone calls, from 9pm to 10pm on Tuesday night, on the matter.

“Until now, only several incidents had taken place originating from a fight on December 16 (Sunday),” he had told a press conference at the Kuala Muda district police headquarters.

“This is an isolated case when a quarrel ensued after a motorcycle race and both sides called their friends which resulted in four other incidents,” he had said.