QuickCheck: Were shots fired at a Miri fight that went viral online?

FIGHTS are generally a cause for alarm when they break out at a public place, and this sense of fear is amplified if it is claimed that firearms were used during the altercation.

Recently, a fight broke out involving a group of men in Vista Perdana Permyjaya Miri in Sarawak. Social media posts containing photos and videos of the fight went viral later, along with the allegation that shots were heard during the fight.

Did a gunfight occur during the brawl as alleged in the social media post?

VERDICT:

FALSE

Miri OCPD Asst Comm Alexson Naga Chabu, in a statement Saturday (April 15), confirmed that police had received a report about the fight that broke out among 11 men, aged from 19 to 40 years old.

However, he strongly denied that any firearms were involved and added that there were no gunshots fired in the incident.

"The Miri police headquarters refutes allegations on social media that gunshots were fired during the fight and stresses that there was no such incident," ACP Alexson said in his statement.

He added that the fight happened at around 12.15am on April 14 and all 11 suspects had been detained for investigations under Section 427 of the Penal Code.

ACP Alexson advised the public not to share any social media posts or recordings of the incident as it could disrupt public order.

"Action can be taken against anyone sharing videos and pictures of the incident under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

"They can also face action under Section 504 of the Penal Code," he said.

The police also reminded the public not to act in contravention of the law.