Suspect caught, allegedly threw firecrackers at Harapan ceramah

The police recorded an election offence in Johor involving an individual detained on suspicion of burning and throwing a prohibited type of firecracker at a Pakatan Harapan campaign location.

Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) operations director for the 15th general election (GE15) Hazani Abdullah said the suspect used a ‘Cake Repeater 138 Shot’ at the backstage of the campaign location in Taman Yayasan, Segamat.

“The suspect was detained for letting off firecrackers that can endanger the safety of those who attended the campaign. We have also started Investigations,” he said in a statement today.

Hazani said in a second incident, a local man who was drunk created a ruckus in a provocative manner by breaking the pole of a BN flag and throwing the flag on the road at Jalan JB Air Hitam, in front of a bank in Taman Senai Utama, Senai, Johor.

In a third incident that happened in Penang, a local man was believed to have threatened a party helper who intended to put up flags at Jalan Padang Tembak, Ayer Itam which comes under the Bukit Bendera parliamentary constituency (P048).

“The suspect claimed that the Ayer Itam area was under his jurisdiction and that anyone who intended to put up flags must pay him.

“If not, he would ask his people to cause trouble,” Hazani said, adding that the case will be investigated under Section 385 of the Penal Code for intimidation.

He said a fourth case was in Kelantan which involves an individual who reported that when he was at Dewan Jeram Tekoh, Gua Musang, he opened his WhatsApp Group ‘Anak Muda Tolak Kuli P32’ and saw someone he knew as Aznan Rosmadi, uploading a ballot paper.

“The ballot paper had the name of the party and the candidate who will be contesting the Gua Musang parliamentary seat.

“The individual who lodged the report was concerned as to how the individual obtained the ballot paper and also the motive for uploading the ballot paper in the WhatsApp group,” Hazani said.

He said PDRM also opened 22 investigation papers throughout the country involving offences related to GE15, involving Sarawak, Sabah, and Selangor.

In SARAWAK, an individual from the Sarikei DAP division office, known as Tengki, reported that about 30 DAP flags put up along Jalan Masjid Lama Sarikei, beginning at a pharmacy to Jalan Sugarbun, Sarikei were damaged and broken by an unidentified individual.

In SABAH, an individual at Kampung Kolapis Laut, Beluran, reported that he was informed by a member of Warisan that four flag poles set up along the pedestrian walk path near Jalan Taman Arif were damaged.

However, the individual was not sure of the motive or who was responsible for vandalising the flag poles.

“Investigations revealed that a number of flag poles were broken. Flags were also found on the ground where the incident was alleged. The area was dark because the street lights were not functioning. There were also no witnesses,” he said.

In SELANGOR, specifically in Kajang, an individual lodged a report claiming he witnessed a BN flag put up in front of a house near the parking area was damaged and torn. There was also an attempt to untie the flag from the pole.

Hazani said the individual who reported the incident believes it was an irresponsible act done out of jealousy.

“Such an act can result in triggering anger. The sensitivity of neighbours and the party must be respected and supported by every individual,” he said.

Meanwhile, a media spokesperson from the Johor police headquarters Supt Ibrahim Mat Som said three investigation papers have been opened under Section 427 and Section 500 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Campaigning permits

The police issued 3,457 permits until yesterday, for campaigning purposes nationwide ahead of GE15 which will be held on Nov 19.

Hazani Abdullah said the total comprised 623 permits in Sabah, Johor (482), Perak (413), Sarawak (372), Selangor (320), Kedah (257), Pahang (230), Negeri Sembilan (203), Malacca (162), Penang (122), Kelantan (107), Terengganu (77), Perlis (45), and Kuala Lumpur (44).

Hazani said PDRM also identified 177 election campaigns that were held without a permit, namely 39 in Negeri Sembilan, Perak (38), Selangor (25), Kedah (21), Kuala Lumpur (18), Johor (17), Pahang (nine), Terengganu (six), Sarawak (three), and Kelantan (one).

- Bernama

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