The police have been colour blind in their action against those responsible for the violence which erupted at Low Yat Plaza over the weekend.

Speaking to Malaysiakini , inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said race was never a factor in apprehending those involved.

He was responding to speculations surrounding the arrests and remand of four handphone traders for rioting.

The speculations surfaced following the leak of purported police records discussing the need for a "racial balance" with regard to the arrests in order to "neutralise racial sentiments".

However, Khalid dismissed this.

"There is no such thing. Based on our investigations and CCTV recordings, these traders were believed to be involved in the initial fight that took place inside the mall.

"We have remanded them to facilitate investigations. We will then hand over our investigation papers to the DPP upon completion of the probe.

Following this, Khalid said it is up to the DPP to determine if there are reasonable grounds to charge them.

The police have arrested more than 20 people in connection with the riot.

Three of them, Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, who operates the blog Papagomo, Malay Armed Forces Veterans Association president Mohd Ali Baharom and Bagan Umno division head Shaik Hussein Mydin were detained under the Sedition Act.

The rest were arrested under the Penal Code for rioting and causing damage.

Related reports

Police report leak results in harassment

Papagomo, Ali Tinju and four Low Yat traders held

Umno division head detained under Sedition Act

Low Yat incident: From theft to racist brawl

Kit Siang wants RCI for Low Yat incident

Beaten bloody, but he does not want revenge

Ku Nan backs review of social media regulation

Low Yat incident lawyer has bad intention: IGP

Umno’s race-baiting root of Low Yat fracas

Time for sanity, as dust settles on Low Yat incident

Low Yat shows racial ties still fragile

'Heavy-handed police action bad for business'

Perak DAP: We respect the multiracial objective