Police today denied an allegation that a 26-year-old bank manager from Kuala Lumpur was held in lock-up for three days for not wearing a seat-belt while driving.

Melaka police chief SAC Datuk Chuah Gee Lye said the man was actually held under remand to facilitate further investigation into an allegation that he had obstructed a policeman from discharging his duties.

"The incident occurred at about 9pm on May 28," he told reporters at Melaka police contingent headquarters in Bukit Beruang today.

Chuah said during the incident, the policeman, who was patrolling along Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho, had stopped five men in a Toyota Avanza after noticing that the driver, who is the bank manager, was not wearing a seat-belt.

He said when the policeman asked the driver for his identity card and driving licence, he refused to produce them, but instead questioned the authority of the police officer.

After several attempts, the man finally surrendered his identity card, but still refused to hand over his licence.

When the policeman went to his motorcycle to issue a summons to the driver, he was followed and scolded by the man in Chinese.

Chua said it was at this point that the policeman called for backup.

He said the man and his friends were taken to Melaka Tengah police headquarters where he finally produced his identity card and driving licence and was issued a summons for not wearing a seat belt.

"The policeman also lodged a report saying that he was obstructed from discharging his duties and the report was investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of two years, or maximum fine of RM10,000, or both, if convicted," he said.

He said the investigation paper on the case was submitted to the deputy public prosecutor to decide if there was a case and the man was released unconditionally on May 31 pending the decision.

Chuah also refuted the allegation that the man was denied the rights to make a phone call and to have a lawyer.

He said the police had never stopped the man from making a phone call and that he was also informed of his rights by the investigation officer.

"During the arrest, the man had also made several phone calls to politicians. One of the politicians from an opposition party had also came to Melaka Tengah police headquarters to find out about the case," he said.

- Bernama