Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar has issued a stern warning to those who use social network to spread rumours of an alleged racial riot in Sungai Petani as they could threaten national security.

"The people should check with the authorities to get the true picture of the situation, and not spread rumours on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter or blogs," he told reporters after the launch of the police motorcycle patrolling unit by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak at Bandar Kinrara in Puchong today.

Refuting the rumours, Ismail said, "the emergency (declaration) is also not true, if it is true, I should have been informed".

On the motorcycle patrolling unit, he said the initiative showed that the police were not complacent in ensuring the safety of the people.

He said continuous consultations with the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) and strategic formulation led by the Home Ministry would enable various programmes to be strengthened in combating crime.

Meanwhile, a Bernama survey found that the people in the Kuala Muda District went about their daily activities in harmony without any problems, while shops and foodstalls were being patronised by the people of various races.

A bakery worker, S Gayathry, 33, said she heard of rumours about the alleged riots occurring in several areas in Kuala Muda, but found that they were not true.

"I went out to work as usual without any worries, especially after the police issued a statement that the situation is under control," she said.

A student, Nur Mariam Nasir, 17, said there was no problem in her housing area in Taman Pekan Baru for residents practised racial tolerance and mutual respect.

A drink stall operator in Taman Indah here, Mashitah Osman, 32, said the situation in Sungai Petani was calm and business was as usual.

'Propaganda perpetrated by outsiders'

In Sungai Petani, Kedah police chief Ahmad Ibrahim said the security situation in the state was under control and normal and there were no riots as spread on the social network and text messages.

He said although a fight had occurred, it had been quelled and brought under control.

"So far 21 people had been pulled up for questioning over the fight and hopefully, everyone is aware that the situation is under control," he said after meeting community leaders at the Kuala Muda Police District Headquarters over the alleged riots.

Meanwhile, Sungai Petani Municipal councillor S Pichathu described the riot rumours as a propaganda perpetrated by outsiders, as the situation in Sungai Petani was normal.

Another councillor, Lee Heng Chai said the rumours could have started following a fight involving of group of young people over a misunderstanding, but it was blown out of proportion by outsiders.

- Bernama