POLICE ARREST EIGHT FOR RIOTING WITH DANGEROUS OBJECTS AT MASAI RESTAURANT

JOHOR BAHRU, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Police have arrested eight individuals, including a woman, in connection with a riot involving dangerous objects at a restaurant in Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, Masai, last Saturday.

Johor Bahru Selatan police chief ACP Raub Selamat said the incident occurred around 11.05 pm at a Chinese restaurant and was believed to have been triggered by personal issues and jealousy.

"Initial investigations revealed that a group of about 20 men attacked two victims using plastic chairs and glass bottles, injuring one victim in the face and body.

“The suspects, aged between 17 and 46, were arrested, with one having a prior criminal record,” he said in a statement today.

Raub added that police had seized seven mobile phones for investigation, and urine tests on all the suspects showed no traces of drugs.

The case is being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code, which covers rioting with weapons or dangerous objects, carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine, or both, if convicted.

The suspects have been remanded for three days starting today to assist in further investigations.

Raub said police are still hunting down other suspects involved in the incident and have urged the public not to speculate on the case, as it could interfere with the investigation. 

Earlier, a one-minute 29-second video of the incident went viral on Facebook, showing a group of men in black attacking two men at the restaurant with objects like chairs. The incident was eventually stopped by members of the public.

-- BERNAMA