IT'S NOT unusual to see people haggling with traders at markets before handing over their cash for goods.
It is a different matter entirely when they just walk up to a trader and demand money for nothing.
A viral video shows a stall operator facing down two men during an alleged extortion attempt.
It is claimed that the incident occurred at the Simee wet market in Ipoh recently.
Did this happen?
VERDICT:
TRUE
Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said on Tuesday (Jan 27) that two men have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the extortion attempt, which was caught on video.
He said the suspects, aged 22 and 25, were arrested near a petrol station on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah at around 6pm on Sunday (Jan 25).
"They have been sent to the central police station for further investigation in relation to a report at the market," he said when contacted.
A 43sec video that went viral on Sunday shows the stall operator standing her ground and rebuking the men.
ACP Abang Zainal Abidin said the suspects did not have anything illegal on them during the arrest, but a background check found that they both have criminal records.
"The matter is being investigated under Section 385 of the Penal Code for putting persons in fear in order to commit extortion," he said.
Meanwhile, Canning assemblyman Jenny Choy said market traders and the public who have encountered any form of intimidation or extortion should lodge a police report.
"Do not give them any money and report the matter directly to the police immediately.
"No one is above the law, and any form of illegal activity should not be tolerated," she said when contacted.
