KUANTAN: An army personnel and a bank clerk were among five men detained to facilitate a probe for allegedly provoking and threatening to hit a fast food restaurant chain customer in Sungai Isap here on April 12.
The other suspects included a car salesman, a contractor and a trader. All of them are aged between 27 and 43 years old and live in Kuantan.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said four of the suspects had previous drug records.
He said the incident unfolded when the 40-year-old complainant, a trader from Bandar Pusat Jengka, Maran, had gone to the outlet with his family about 10.25pm on April 12.
"Several men who were allegedly campaigning to boycott the fast food outlet had called him and when he stepped outside the premises and approached the group, one of them had hurled profanities and tried to provoke him.
"The complainant ignored them and walked back into the premises. Later, when he and his family were about to leave the outlet, the suspects again provoked the complainant by insulting him. When he approached them, one of the men held a helmet and passed it to his friend, who then threatened to hit him.
"The complainant's wife intervened before they left the outlet and lodged a police report," he said today.
Wan Mohd Zahari said the first suspect was nabbed about 3.30pm on April 13 and police seized a car from the man.
"Three others were picked up on the same day before the fifth suspect was picked about 6.30pm the following day. Police seized a motorcycle and helmet from the fifth suspect," he said, adding the men would be remanded till April 17.
Earlier today, Wan Mohd Zahari confirmed that police had detained five men who allegedly appeared furious at the victim for eating at the outlet and had threatened him.
Meanwhile, Wan Zahari said the 33-year-old car salesman was also being investigated under Section 336 of the Penal Code for committing an act which could endanger personal safety and that of others.
"The man was captured in a 28-second viral video driving a Mitsubishi Triton with his three passengers standing at the rear cabin, waving a flag. The driver's negligence could pose a threat to his passengers and other road users," he said, adding the driver and his three passengers had been remanded to facilitate investigations.
In the viral video, three men standing at the rear of the four-wheel-drive vehicle were seen waving the national flag of Palestine outside a fast food outlet at Sungai Isap here about 10pm on April 12.