Two men nabbed for searching a police car in Rantau
Police have arrested two individuals over an incident in Rantau, which saw a group of political party supporters illegally stop and search a patrol car.
Acting state police chief Mohamad Mat Yusop said the suspects – a 52-year-old car salesperson from Seremban and a 36-year-old lorry driver from Rantau – were nabbed this afternoon...
Police have arrested two individuals over an incident in Rantau, which saw a group of political party supporters illegally stop and search a patrol car.
Acting state police chief Mohamad Mat Yusop said the suspects – a 52-year-old car salesperson from Seremban and a 36-year-old lorry driver from Rantau – were nabbed this afternoon.
According to Mohamad, both individuals were picked up from their homes and identified as members of a political party.
"Investigations are ongoing, and police are tracking down three more individuals to facilitate the probe," he told Malaysiakini.
Earlier today, Mohamad told reporters that police are probing the incident under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing the duties of a public servant.
The group of five individuals had stopped the patrol car with two police officers in front of SJKC Chung Hua at about 6pm.
They alleged that the car was transporting extra ballot papers into the polling centre.
The patrol car was escorting another vehicle transporting ballot papers into the school when it was stopped by the group.
Based on one of the video clips from the incident, the five individuals, wearing shirts emblazoned with the Pakatan Harapan logo, had instructed the police officers to open the trunk of the patrol car.
After the officers refused, the group then raised their voices, and told the officers to open the trunk if they had nothing to hide.
Preventing escalation
As Mohamad told the press conference, the officers were under no obligation to accede to the group's demands, but did so to prevent the situation from further escalating.
He added, however, that the group's search only turned up a first aid kit and security equipment.
"The patrol car did not enter the school, but had stopped outside its gate to control traffic and safety," he said.
"Then came five men who alleged that our personnel were carrying extra ballot papers.
"What right did they have to conduct checks on a police car as civilians?"
Stressing that police personnel carry out their duties with professionalism despite the various accusations hurled at them, Mohamad described the incident as humiliating because it challenged their authority.
He noted that the five individuals have been identified, and that action will be taken against them for preventing the officers from discharging their duties.
Malaysiakini has contacted Harapan candidate Dr S Streram to verify if the individuals were his supporters, and for his response to the incident.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also a Pakatan Harapan deputy president, urged supporters of political parties to abide by the law.
"The act of obstructing public servants from doing their duty is an offence under the penal code. A police report has been made over the incident.
"Therefore, I leave the matter to the police to investigate and take the appropriate action in accordance with the law.
"I would like to remind supporters of political parties, and also the public, to comply with the law at all times and not take any action that goes against the law," he said.
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