Number of arrests stands at 24 in Cheras scuffle

KUALA LUMPUR: More people have been arrested following investigations into the scuffle with the authorities after a disagreement over a lane that was due to be built near a temple here.

“The total now is 24 arrested,” Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim said when contacted.

He added that the arrests were made within the city.

Meanwhile, in a statement Friday (Oct 1), Cheras OCPD Asst Comm Muhammad Idzam Jaafar said that an operation was conducted on Thursday (Sept 30), at around 1.30am.

"The police were at the temple area to make arrests but the suspects surrendered themselves, while also producing an apology letter. A total of 16 people were arrested, aged between 18 and 84.

"Two were released on police bail due to their age. With these arrests, all the suspects linked to the incident have been arrested," he said.

ACP Muhammad Idzam said that the investigation paper has been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor’s office.

He added that police had suggested that the charging be done under Sections 184 (possessing weapons at a riot), 186 (obstructing a public servant from discharging duties) and 353 (using criminal force to prevent discharging of duties) of the Penal Code, and for

non-compliance with Covid-19 SOPs by organising a mass gathering in a public area.

On Tuesday (Sept 28), protesters allegedly fought against the authorities during an operation by the Kuala Lumpur Land and Mines office near a temple in Cheras here.

“The motive of the group was due to them being unsatisfied with the government building the lane and reclaiming the land, which belonged to the government, making the area of the temple narrower,” ACP Muhammad Idzam had said.