Hawkers arrested after hijacking council lorry

GEORGE TOWN: Two hawkers were arrested for hijacking a lorry owned by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) during a raid at their food stall in Tanjung Tokong.  

George Town OCPD Senior Asst Comm Mior Faridalathrash Wahid (pix) said the duo were arrested shortly after the incident, which happened at around 8.45pm on Thursday.  

“We are now seeking a remand order at the George Town court pending investigation,” he said in a statement on Friday.  

SAC Mior said an enforcement officer from MBPP had lodged a police report at the Pulau Tikus police station at 9.45pm, alleging that the two suspects ran away with the lorry after he alighted from the vehicle.  

“The enforcement officer said he got down from the lorry and walked to the back of the vehicle to lower the ramp. The two suspects then got into the lorry, locked the door and drove off,” he added.  

A brief video emerged on social media showing the vehicle being driven by a trader haphazardly with several motorcycles by its side.  

The video was uploaded with a caption that the MBPP lorry was taken by a trader and was heading towards the Pulau Tikus police station due to the enforcement action by MBPP.  

SAC Mior said the case is being investigating under Section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty.