Man detained over attack at KLCC cosplay event

KUALA LUMPUR: A cosplayer has been arrested for allegedly spraying corrosive liquid on a security guard and a member of the public at a cosplay event held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Sunday.

Prior to the incident, the security guard was deployed to the scene after receiving reports of an altercation at one of the exhibition halls, at 8.56pm.

Reports suggested that a male cosplayer was provoking other participants.

The security guard, along with another person, had gone to the hall to look into the matter.

They identified the man, who was garbed in full military tactical gear.

The man was reportedly in a foul mood. As the duo approached him, he sprayed an unidentified liquid, believed to be pepper spray, in their direction.

One of the men, a 19-year-old, took the brunt of it. It caused severe irritation to the face and was taken to the hospital.

Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Shaharuddin Abdullah said the cosplayer was detained and taken to the security room of the building.

“Checks revealed that he was carrying a metal baton, BB gun, knife, bear spray and pepper spray.

“An investigation has been opened under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substance and Offences Weapons Act 1958 (for carrying an offensive weapon), Section 351 of the Penal Code (for voluntarily causing hurt) and Section 36 of the Firearms Act 1960 (for possessing fake firearms),” he said.

The man was handed over to the police for investigations.

Several participants in the event claimed that a group of men had provoked the man, which might have led him to spray the substance.

The incident sparked discussion on social media, with many calling for stricter security checks and for people involved in such incidents to be banned from future events.

Facebook user Kendrick Ng Tiong Heng said those involved should be banned from future events, saying that they have had “enough drama”.