BATU PAHAT – Police have denied that a solidarity rally was held in support of a group arrested for rioting, lighting flares and putting up a banner deemed offensive in Parit Raja here recently.
Batu Pahat district police chief Ismail Dollah said checks showed that the rally never took place, contrary to the allegation made by Twitter user “Zack Rockstar”.
“The viral video is believed to have been recorded on May 13, between 5pm and 7pm, before those suspected of being involved in the Parit Raja incident were arrested,” he said in a statement today.
He called on people not to speculate, as this could jeopardise public harmony amid the ongoing probe.
Twenty people have been arrested for suspected involvement in the rioting, images of which went viral on social media on Thursday.
The suspects, who are locals aged between 16 and 28, allegedly put up a banner printed with the words “Kerajaan Gagal”, and set off flares and firecrackers. – Bernama, May 15, 2021
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