One held over 'kerajaan gagal' flash mob
The police have nabbed a man to assist investigation into a flash mob that was allegedly held at Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor today.
This came after a video clip showing a group of youths burning flares while holding a banner that read “kerajaan gagal” (failed government) made the rounds on social media yesterday.
In the two-minute video, some of the youths were holding flares while others rode around on motorcycles.
“Kerajaan gagal” has become a trending hashtag on Twitter, with users on the platform expressing their dissatisfaction against the Perikatan Nasional government.
In a statement today, Batu Pahat district police chief Ismail Dollah confirmed receiving a police report from an individual who found the viral video footage on social media at 7.36pm tonight (May 13).
“The complainant saw a video of an assembly, flares and an incident in which a banner carried the words ‘failed government’ while browsing social media.
“The complainant also found the said assembly failed to comply with the (Covid-19) SOPs set by the government,” he said.
Prior to this, Ismail said the police also received public information that the banner bearing the words “failed government” was hung at a pedestrian bridge at Jalan Parit Raja toward Ayer Hitam.
“A few personnel went to the location only to find that the banner had been taken down by the people.
“A preliminary police investigation found that the incident happened at Parit Raja and it is believed the banner found at the assembly and hung at the pedestrian bridge were the same,” he said.
Ismail also confirmed that police received several reports between 12am and 1am relating to the mat rempit activities in Parit Raja, which had been dispersed.
“So far, the police have arrested a 21-year-old man to assist the investigation,” he said, adding the police will take preventive measures while enhancing the enforcement in Batu Pahat.
The case is being probed under Section 144 of the Penal Code, Section 269 of the Penal Code and Section 8 of the Explosive Act 1957.
Section 144 of the Penal Code deals with possessing weapons or missiles at unlawful assemblies. The provision carries a maximum two years’ jail term and fine.
Section 269 of the Penal Code states whoever unlawfully does any act which the person knows is likely to spread a dangerous infection shall be punished with a jail term up to six months or with fine or both.
Section 8 of the Explosive Act also carries a jail term of seven years or a fine of RM10,000 or both.
