Cop, tourist probed over alleged extortion video

 

Police have launched investigations against one of their own and a female tourist from China after a short video clip had gone viral on social media, claiming that the cop was involved in extortion.

Kuala Lumpur acting police chief Yahaya Othman said the incident was being investigated under Section 384 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMCA).

Provision under the Section 384 is for offences related to extortion, while Section 233 CMCA criminalises the "improper use" of network facilities with the intent of annoying, abusing, or threatening another person.

"Initial investigation revealed that the individual in the viral video claimed that the police personnel had extorted her for failing to produce her identification document.

"Following this, the Dang Wangi district police headquarters Criminal Investigation Department has opened investigations under Section 384 of the Penal Code and Section 233 CMA.

"The police personnel and the individual, whom police have identified, will be summoned to the district police headquarters to have their statements recorded to facilitate investigations," he said in a statement.

According to a copy of the video on TikTok, the tourist had accused the cop of demanding RM200 from her after she failed to show her passport during a check at the Dato' Onn Roundabout in Kuala Lumpur.

However, the video that went viral only showed a part of the incident where the police personnel was asking the woman and her taxi driver to show their "IC" (identity cards).

The rest of the alleged incident was narrated by the tourist, who claimed that the cop had insisted that she give him RM200 even after being offered half of the amount. - Mkini