Flares are often used for distress signalling, deployed only when there is imminent danger to a person or property.
However, these emergency signals are occasionally misused by irresponsible parties.
Is it true that several individuals set off flares from moving vehicles near Bukit Bintang?
VERDICT:
True
Cops are tracking down a group of men believed to have ignited flares while riding on a four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle along Jalan Sultan Ismail near a fast food restaurant in Bukit Bintang early Sunday (May 17) morning.
Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Sazalee Adam said police detected a video uploaded on the Threads application showing about eight individuals travelling in a 4WD and two electric scrambler motorcycles.
“Initial investigations found that the incident occurred at around 2am, where several individuals were seen lighting flares.
“The act could pose a danger to public safety, disrupt traffic and threaten the safety of visitors, while also affecting the peace and order of residents and traders in the popular tourist area,” he told a press conference here on Monday (May 18).
ACP Sazalee said further checks revealed that the group was believed to have been moving around the Bukit Bintang area before the video was uploaded on social media.
“We also detected a banner displaying the numbers ‘6.6’. The actual meaning of the wording is still under investigation,” he said.
He added that police have opened an investigation under Section 290 of the Penal Code, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
“Investigations are also being conducted under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987,” he said.
Those with information on the incident are urged to contact the Dang Wangi district police headquarters operations room at 03-2600 2222 or any nearby police station.
