Datuk held over FB remarks on ‘mat lajak’ accident in JB

JOHOR BARU: A Datuk has been arrested over an alleged posting of offensive remarks about the recent “mat lajak” accident in which eight teenage cyclists were killed.

The Datuk, who is a state Umno branch chief, was picked up at his home two days ago.

One of his friends was also detained in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Initial investigations showed both men had posted messages on their Facebook accounts, alleging that the police could be withholding information on the case as the woman driver was believed to be related to a VIP.

The two men have since been brought back here and remanded to assist in investigations.

The Datuk’s arrest brings to three the number of people detained over the last 48 hours for making offensive remarks or racial slurs on social media about the incident.

In a statement, Johor police said three men, aged between 61 and 65, had been detained in a series of raids in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Perak.

State police chief Comm Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said a 64-year-old man was arrested in Bandar Sri Permaisuri, Kuala Lumpur, at about 2am yesterday.

Two other men were arrested in Taman Sri Gombak, Batu Caves and Ipoh on Saturday.

“The two suspects from the Klang Valley were held for posting offensive remarks that could threaten the country’s harmony,” he said.

Comm Wan Ahmad said the suspect from Perak was detained for allegedly encouraging the people to join a bicycle rally.

“We have also seized four SIM cards and three mobile phones believed to be used by the men to commit the offences,” he said.