Cops deny viral post stoked racial tension

SUNGAI PETANI: Police have denied that an event on Thursday (Aug 4) has led to tension between the races here.

Kuala Muda OCPD Asst Comm Zaidy Che Hassan, however, said a viral post on the "Ayahanda-Ayahanda Sungai Petani" Facebook page has created panic among the local community in Sungai Petani.

"The case is being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

"Police also opened an investigation under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998," he said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 7).

ACP Zaidy advised the public to stop spreading fake news which can touch the people's sentiments in the area.

He called on the public not to speculate about the incident and urged those who have information about the matter to come forward to help in the police investigation.

"Those with information can call investigating officer Insp Ranveer Singh Purba Sintokh Singh at the Kuala Muda police headquarters criminal investigation department at 018-467 4764 or the Kuala Muda police headquarters at 04-429 9222," he said.

On Aug 4, two suspects, aged 41 and 35 years old, were detained following a report by a 58-year-old victim that he was attacked by three assailants wielding machetes for scolding one of the assailants for riding motorcycles dangerously at a construction site.

The victim, a security guard at a construction site at Bukit Banyan here, suffered injuries to his head and left hand and had been sent for treatment at Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital.

Police are tracking another suspect who is still at large.

The incident has led to much speculation and fake news being spread on social media platforms.