IGP: Papagomo, politician to be arrested today for inciting Low Yat Plaza riot


KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman will be going for two individuals alleged to have caused racial tension in connection with the brawl at Low Yat Plaza late Sunday.

One of the duo - a political party branch leader - was seen on video making offensive racial remarks. The video has gone viral and was even posted on the politician's Facebook page.

The other is blogger Papagomo, who posted a picture purportedly of a "victim" of the ruckus, further worsening the situation.

"Those I asked to surrender themselves have not done so.

"Today, we will come for them and make the arrests," Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (pic) said Tuesday, referring to both individuals.

Khalid said those who excitedly made speeches near Low Yat Plaza, asking people to riot, should be ready to face the consequences.

"We gave them the opportunity to surrender but it has been squandered.

"Now, mark my words, we are coming for them," he said.

Khalid said police would identify others responsible for spreading false news on social media and other mediums as well.

"Even after my warning, there are still social media users who posted pictures from other incidents and claimed it was what happened at Low Yat.

"Don't inflame a situation that has been resolved," he said.

On Monday, the IGP pointed out that among those who spread malicious reports was Papagomo and he threw down the gauntlet, saying: "It is better for Papagomo to surrender himself rather than be arrested by police."

City police chief Comm Datuk Tajuddin Md Isa also confirmed that police were looking for the party branch leader depicted in the offensive video.

According to the Low Yat Plaza management, a suspect was apprehended at 5.40pm Saturday for allegedly trying to steal a mobile phone from one of the kiosks at the shopping complex.

It said that after this happened, a group of youths turned up at the mall and damaged another outlet in retaliation, claiming that the outlet's staff had assisted in apprehending the suspect.

On Sunday, several people, including three journalists, were injured in a mob attack after police dispersed protesters at the mall.

An eyewitness said a group of men barged into a food outlet near the shopping mall around midnight and assaulted patrons with motorcycle helmets.

So far, 19 people have been detained over the incident.

Related story

IGP to Papagomo: Surrender yourself

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Low Yat , IGP , Politics

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