GEORGE TOWN: Police have arrested 13 males, including three teenagers, following a late-night armed brawl outside a primary school in Air Itam that left a victim injured after being hit by a vehicle.
The suspects, aged 16 to 33, were rounded up during a series of early-morning raids across Penang island on Sunday (Aug 30).
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng said the altercation began around 2.45am on Saturday outside SJK (C) Kong Min and involved two primary targets aged 17 and 25.
"Initial investigations indicate the clash stemmed from a dispute during a gathering at a food court in Kota Bali, Paya Terubong," Comm Lim said in a statement on Sunday.
"We are also investigating a vehicle that allegedly struck one of the victims during the brawl, inflicting injuries."
A joint operation led by the Penang Criminal Investigation Department’s secret societies, gambling, and vice division (D7), alongside Northeast district police and Central station officers, executed five raids between 8.19pm Saturday (Aug 29) and 4.22am Sunday.
The detainees include a student, two unemployed individuals, and several workers from the food delivery and transport sectors.
The case is being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for possessing weapons at a riot and Section 326 for voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons.
Comm Lim assured that investigation papers will be finalised promptly and submitted to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further directions.
He added that police will step up patrols and targeted operations at high-risk hotspots to curb gang violence.
"The public must not take the law into their own hands or resort to violence to settle disputes," Comm Lim warned, urging parents to closely monitor their children's activities and social circles.
