The Malaysian Insight

THE man who claimed to be an imam during the harassment and assault of Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong at a Ramadan bazaar has been arrested.

The 35-year-old cleaner was arrested at 1.40pm at the Kluang police headquarters when he went there to have his statement recorded.

Also detained was a 49-year-old caterer who was at the scene yesterday.

Kluang police chief Asst Comm Mohamad Laham confirmed the arrests.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for causing injury without weapon and under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.

The duo and four others  had blocked Liew and his team along with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia members from entering the dry section at the bazaar in Kluang town yesterday.

They blocked the entrance with three tables and formed a human blockade to prevent Liew from distributing dates to the traders and bazaar-goers.

One of the men allegedly punched a member of Liew’s staff after failing to grab a camera from him. Liew was hit on the forehead in the scuffle.

A video recording of the commotion went viral on social media and garnered criticism not only from netizens but also leaders of the ruling parties and the opposition.

Many netizens were angry that the group had “tarnished Islam” with their behavior.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the group’s action against the Kluang MP was uncalled for and it was made even worse as it was done during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Muhyiddin Yassin branded those who harassed Liew as un-Islamic, adding that they should have allowed him to perform his duties as an MP.

This was not the first time the same person had barred Liew from entering a Ramadan bazaar.

In 2014, he had asked Liew for an approval letter to prove he was allowed to distribute dates at the bazaar. – June 11, 2017.