KUALA LUMPUR: Eighteen men have been arrested for allegedly assaulting two men and causing head injuries in an incident involving suspected “photo touts” at the Petronas Twin Towers here.
Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Sazalee Adam said the 9pm incident on Sunday occurred when the victims confronted a group of men they claimed were beating up a male tourist.
“The group warned the victims not to interfere. However, one of the victims was suddenly attacked from behind by an individual using a kerambit knife, injuring him on the head.
“The victim was then punched several times by individuals believed to be photo touts before the situation turned chaotic when about 30 of the suspects’ associates joined in and attacked the victims,” he said yesterday.
ACP Sazalee said police, acting on information, conducted an operation and arrested 18 suspects aged between 17 and 45 around the scene the following night to assist in investigations.
“Initial investigations found that all those detained admitted to being at the scene and working as ‘photo touts’ in the area.
“In addition, two of the suspects were identified by witnesses through an identification process conducted by the police. The case is being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code,” he added.
The incident was earlier highlighted by influencer and former teacher Mohd Fadli Salleh, who claimed a group of alleged illegal photo touts had acted aggressively, sparking a fight with a foreign tourist at the popular location.
He said the two victims, who are drink vendors, had attempted to break up the altercation but were instead attacked by the group.
Previously, The Star reported on the growing presence of photo touts at the Petronas Twin Towers, a major tourist attraction where visitors frequently stop to take pictures.
Armed with mobile phones, gimbals and lighting equipment, these individuals approach tourists persistently, offering photography services for between RM5 and RM20 per shot.
After taking the photos, they typically send multiple images via WhatsApp or other platforms and demand payment for each shot.
In some cases, they may also disrupt tourists’ own attempts to take photos by appearing in the background if their services are declined.
