Papagomo remanded for three days over ‘headlock-hug’

KAJANG: Umno Youth exco member Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris has been remanded for three days in connection with the alleged attempted assault of Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman.

Kajang Deputy OCPD Supt Mohd Sabri Abdullah said police also arrested another man in relation to the incident but he was released on police bail.

“We would also appreciate any help from witnesses who saw the incident to help with the investigation,” he said.

Wan Muhammad Azri, better known as Papagomo, was arrested in Setapak at 3pm Sunday (Feb 17) following a police report lodged by Syed Saddiq at the Sungai Way police station on Saturday (Feb 16).

On Saturday, Syed Saddiq claimed that he was walking to his car with three others after the candidates of the Semenyih by-election were announced.

He left the nomination centre at Dewan Sri Cempaka at about 11.05am, when a group of Barisan Nasional supporters jeered at him.

The Youth and Sports Minister said that Papagomo suddenly cornered him and put him in a headlock, but several policemen nearby managed to control the situation.

The Umno man, however, claims it was a hug and an attempt to shield the young MP.

Syed Saddiq, also the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia youth leader, posted videos of the incident on social media expressing his disappointment with “gangsterism”.

The videos showed what looked like a group of blue-clad individuals crowding Syed Saddiq, while his officers and police personnel intervened.