ALOR STAR: Police have arrested two traders who appeared in a viral video daring enforcement team from the Alor Star City Council (MBAS) for a fist fight during a raid at Dataran Medan Bandar here on Thursday evening.
Kota Setar police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Shukri Mat Akhir said the men are being investigated for using criminal intimidation against the MBAS enforcement team during the incident.
"On March 14, about 11.38pm, MBAS assistant enforcement staff were carrying out their duty during a seizure operation at Dataran Medan Bandar Alor Star.
"They were obstructed by two men who caused commotion and scuffle before they were dissolved.
"Following the incident, police have arrested two men aged 33 and 42 on Friday evening," he said in a statement.
Shukri added that police have classified the case under Section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal intimidation to obstruct MBAS civil servants from executing their duty.
In the 240 second viral video, two men were seen shouting at the MBAS enforcement team in protest of the seizure operation.
They were seen scuffling with the enforcement team members with one of them repeatedly challenging the raiding team for a fist fight before kicking down a garbage bin at the scene during the heated argument.
The men were calmed down by members of the public before the raiding team left the scene.
Meanwhile, a spokesman with MBAS said the council has lodged a police report following the incident.
He said the ban on any business activity including food truck, car boot sales, micro-mobility vehicle, roller skates, LED lights and toys have been imposed since the site's reopening in July 2022.
He added that the city council has also erected a signboard to notify traders on the action that could be taken for flouting the ban since Dataran Medan Bandar reopening.