State polls: 579 police reports lodged so far, mostly involving mischief

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have received 579 reports in relation to the six upcoming state elections while the number of arrests remained at two.

Bukit Aman Corporate Communications chief Asst Comm Skandaguru Anandan said as of Wednesday (Aug 2), Selangor topped the list with 194 reports, followed by Kedah (193), Kelantan (92), Negri Sembilan (48), Terengganu (44) and Penang (eight).

"We have opened 39 investigation papers based on the police reports received.

"We also (found that) only one ceramah in Selangor was held without a permit while permits were issued for the other 1,052 ceramah," he said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 3).

ACP Skandaguru said the alleged offences committed were under Section 4A(1) of the Election Offences Act 1954, Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation, Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for wrongful use of network facilities.

"Most of the cases were for committing mischief such as sabotaging and damaging flags and banners of political parties.

"Acts of mischief were reported in Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Terengganu," he said.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain had previously said that police are committed to ensuring the safety of all involved in the elections.

The police have identified more than 100 hotspots in the six states.

A total of 82 CID Ops Cantas teams have been deployed to take necessary action and monitor campaign-related activities.