Three men arrested over viral hotel brawl in Johor Baru

 

Screenshot of a viral video showing a group of men fighting in front of a hotel in Johor Baru two days ago. PHOTO: Viral

JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested three men believed to be involved in a fight at a hotel here on Thursday, which was captured in a video that went viral on social media.

Johor Baru South district police chief Assistant Commissioner Azrul Hisham Mohd Shaffei said police received information about the incident about 12.55pm today.

"Preliminary investigations indicate that the fight took place about 4pm on Thursday and was believed to have been triggered by dissatisfaction among those involved, with several people also believed to have been under the influence of alcohol.

"Following the information received, police arrested the three men, aged between 35 and 56, in front of the hotel about 3pm today," he said in a statement.

Azrul Hisham said checks showed that the trio had a combined total of 25 previous records involving criminal and drug-related offences.

He added that initial urine screening tests found all three suspects negative for drugs.

The case is being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting while armed and Regulation 25(1)(n) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 for failing to produce identification cards.

"Police will apply for a remand order against the three suspects at the magistrate's court here tomorrow.

"Efforts are also ongoing to trace other suspects believed to have been involved in the incident," he said. - NST