Unhappy foreign workers provoke, damage property

 

A group of Bangladeshi workers were believed to have provoked security guards and Health Ministry (MoH) staff in an incident at Pantai Puteri, here, last night. - NSTP file pic

MELAKA: A group of Bangladeshi workers were believed to have provoked security guards and Health Ministry (MoH) staff in an incident at Pantai Puteri, here, last night.

Melaka Tengah District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Afzanizar Ahmad said the 10.30pm incident at the foreign workers' hostel was believed to have taken place due to dissatisfaction with the factory security guards managing one of their unconscious friends.

He said the security guard who was also the complainant had brought down the unconscious worker from the hostel but after the ambulance arrived, the worker was confirmed to have died.

"The commotion was suspected to have started when one of them refused to cooperate before rioting in front of the hostel gate.

"The suspect threw stones at the security guards and damaged the guard hut besides causing the ambulance van carrying the MoH staff to suffer dents and scratches," he said here today.

Afzanizar said the 33-year-old complainant and the MoH medical staff had left the hostel to save themselves and no injuries were reported.

He said the incident also damaged the guard's hut equipment, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, fire alarm boxes and a Honda Wave motorcycle belonging to the security guards, with losses estimated at RM22,000.

"So far no arrests have been made as more than 670 foreign workers are undergoing quarantine and wearing pink bracelets.

"Investigations are still ongoing under Section 148 and Section 427 of the Penal Code and the public is also advised not to worry about the situation," he said.

Earlier, several video recordings believed to be of the riot were shared on social media. --BERNAMA