KUALA LUMPUR: Police opened 31 investigation papers on various offences committed during the 15th General Election (GE15) campaign yesterday.
Police GE15 operations director Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali said of the total, seven investigation papers were opened in Perak, followed by five in Kedah, four each in Negri Sembilan and Johor, three in Selangor, two each in Pahang, Kelantan and Sabah, and one each in Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak.
Some of the offences, including incitement, criminal threats as well as damaging flags and signs belonging to political parties and candidates, are being investigated under Sections 427, 436 and 505(b) of the Penal Code while other offences are being investigated under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Election Offences Act 1954.
He said four individuals were arrested: one man suspected of burning a tent at the operations room of a political party in Taman Mutiara, Batu Pahat, one in Kluang for damaging campaign materials, and one in Ipoh, Perak, and one Kuching, Sarawak - in connection with damaging the posters and flags of party candidates.
Hazani said police also detected four ceramah held without permits: three in Johor and one in Perlis.
A total of 2,211 permits to hold ceramah were issued yesterday: 612 in Sabah, 294 in Sarawak (294), 258 in Perak, 177 in Johor, 162 in Kedah, 138 in Pahang, 119 in Selangor, 102 in Terengganu, 95 in Kelantan, 92 in Negeri Sembilan, 76 in Melaka, 47 in Penang, 27 in Kuala Lumpur and 12 in Perli.
Pahang police opened two GE15-related investigations for offences involving damaging flags and billboards belonging to political parties and candidates.
Pahang Police chief Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the cases occurred in Felda Lembah Klau, Raub and Kampung Meranti Nenasi, Pekan.
"Police received reports of flags and banners being taken out and thrown into drains in Raub. In Pekan, reports were lodged regarding 30 flags and one billboard of a Bebar state candidate along the road being pulled down and damaged," he said in a statement today.
Both offences are being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief. - Bernama