Cops to record witness statements over dialogue session scuffle

PUTRAJAYA: Police will soon call those involved in a scuffle during a dialogue here to record their statements to facilitate investigations.

Putrajaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Rosly Hasan said police would also record witnesses’ statements of the incident, which happened during the National Transformation 2050 dialogue session on Wednesday.

He said this followed two reports lodged by a member of the public in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, and police yesterday.

“Police have decided to make a report to initiate an investigation after numerous viral messages, photos and videos have been circulated on media social on the incident,” he said here yesterday.

Rosly said the case would be probed under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.

“It will only cause disharmony if people continue to make unnecessary comments,” he said.

The scuffle, in the presence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at Seri Perdana, involved comedian Sulaiman Yassin and film director Datuk David Teo.

The incident began when Teo appeared to question the way Datuk Rosyam Nor, the moderator of the dialogue, handled the programme.

However, at the end, Sulaiman and Teo shook hands and hugged each other in front of the prime minister.

In Petaling Jaya, several nongovernmental organisations demanded Teo apologise in a live broadcast for his behaviour.

The group said Teo had three days to apologise, failing which the Information Department should take action against him.

Gerakan Memartabatkan Pejuang Negara president Razali Zakaria urged authorities to investigate Teo’s action as he had tarnished the country’s image.

“We cannot tolerate this kind of behaviour,” he said outside Teo’s office at PJS5 here yesterday.

Pertubuhan Pembela Nasib Melayu Malaysia president Mohd Ali Baharom said police should find out if there was a hidden hand behind the incident.

“The prime minister may have forgiven him (Teo), but we are ashamed by what had happened and we suspect that there is more to it,” he said after lodging a report at the Wangsa Maju police station.

Facebook user Jayce Tan questioned Sulaiman’s action and describe it as a crime.

“How can you lay a hand on someone? It is a crime to do that,” she said.

Ravindran Ramasamy said: “Raising a hand against someone in public is an offence. Where are his manners?”

Zaimah Mohd Taib alleged the fracas was deliberately staged as part of the programme.