GEORGE TOWN – The police have arrested seven men to facilitate investigations into an incident where a group of men surrounded and obstructed the police at a traffic light intersection in Tanjung Tokong here yesterday.
The group of men had alleged that the police motorcycle patrol unit had deliberately kicked a motorcycle being ridden by two men, causing an accident to occur. They also provoked three other police officers and insulted the authorities in the 5.20pm incident.
Their actions, which went viral on social media, were condemned by netizens.
Meanwhile, when contacted today, Penang CID chief SAC Rahimi Mohd Ra'ais confirmed the arrests and said that they would be remanded tomorrow.
“The case is being investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty, Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and Regulation 16 of The Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within the Infected Local Areas) (Movement Control) Regulations 2021,” he said.
The police denied that any of its officers kicked the motorcycle and caused the accident.
Northeast district police chief ACP Soffian Santong was reported to have said initial investigations found that the police personnel were on a patrol along Jalan Sri Pinang when they came across a motorcycle ridden by two men without helmets. They then ordered them to stop for a check but the riders sped off trying to escape.
The police then chased them till they reached the intersection, where the two men chose not to stop and ran the red light before colliding with a car at the intersection. – Bernama, January 18, 2021