Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar today admitted that the accomplice of the youth who stole a handphone at Low Yat Plaza was released by the police officer-in-charge.

Khalid said the officer-in-charge had released the youth's accomplice without referring to his superior first.

As such, the officer would be dealt with by the police separately, Khalid confirmed.

Asked whether it was wrong for the officer to have released the accomplice, Khalid said: "In a way yes, but that was his decision then. He didn't refer it to his senior officer.

"He should have (referred to his superior)," he said.

The accomplice, said Khalid ( photo ), had then gone on to spread false news that his friend was cheated by a trader at one of the shops at the mall.

This later led to a brawl between the youth, his friends and shopkeepers. A second brawl over the incident occurred last night.

To a claim that the youth had produced a receipt to prove that he had bought the phone, Khalid said this was not true.

"He also said that he has lodged a report, but we have checked and there's none. He lied," said Khalid.

Nineteen arrested so far

To a question that there were plans for a third riot tonight, Khalid said the police would take action against those who planned to do so.

"I advice those who plan to conduct a gathering later with the intention to do something bad, that we will take action," he said.

Meanwhile, Khalid confirmed that 19 people had been arrested thus far in relation to the brawl, including the theft suspect.

"We will remand them for four days," he said.

Several persons were hurt last night after a gathering near the mall turned rowdy.

The brawl last night was in response to the earlier fight on Saturday evening involving the handphone theft suspect.

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