KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — Police have detained 15 people, including a woman, less than 24 hours after they allegedly ignited flares and rode dangerously around Bukit Bintang in an incident that went viral on social media.

According to The Star, Dang Wangi police chief ACP Sazalee Adam said the suspects, aged between 17 and 30, were arrested in Batu Caves, Shah Alam, Dengkil and Kajang during an operation conducted between noon and 8pm yesterday.

He reportedly said that police seized two electric scrambler motorcycles and a four-wheel-drive vehicle believed to have been used in the stunt.

The incident reportedly took place at about 2am yesterday along Jalan Sultan Ismail, where a group was seen igniting flares while riding through the busy tourist district.

Sazalee was quoted saying that initial investigations found that the stunt was carried out to promote a clothing shop in Dengkil, with one of those detained, a 24-year-old man, identified as the shop owner.

He said the shop owner had allegedly hired several individuals to perform the dangerous acts, with each participant reportedly paid between RM50 and RM700.

According to the English daily, police also found that the electric scramblers involved were only permitted for off-road use, and summonses would be issued for the offence.

The suspects have been remanded until Thursday as investigations continue under several laws, including Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — Police are hunting for a group of men who were captured on video igniting flares from the back of a moving pickup truck in the heart of Bukit Bintang early Sunday morning.

The manhunt was launched after a video of the incident surfaced on the social media platform Threads, showing the convoy of a Toyota Hilux and two electric scrambler motorcycles on Jalan Sultan Ismail at around 2 am, New Straits Times reported.

Dang Wangi OCPD ACP Sazalee Adam said the reckless act posed a significant risk to public safety in the popular tourist hotspot.

“This could pose a danger to public safety, disrupt public order, and affect the peace of residents and traders in the area,” he told a press conference today.

Police are also investigating the meaning behind a banner displaying the number ‘6.6’ that was seen with the group.

Sazalee confirmed that a multi-pronged investigation has been opened.

The case is being investigated under Section 290 of the Penal Code for public nuisance, Section 42 of the Road Transport Act for reckless driving, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for the misuse of network facilities.

Police are urging members of the public with any information to contact the Dang Wangi police headquarters at 03-2600 2222 or visit their nearest police station.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 — An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) was arrested last Thursday for allegedly being involved in an extortion case involving RM5,000 in cash in an incident at a restaurant in Bukit Bintang here on March 14.

Dang Wangi police chief ACP Sazalee Adam said investigations were launched after a local man lodged a police report, expressing dissatisfaction with the suspect’s actions, who was believed to have handcuffed his colleague and threatened him to demand money.

He said that in the incident, which occurred at about 1.30 am along Jalan Angsoka, the complainant’s colleague was allegedly detained by the suspect on the grounds that their employer was wanted for suspected involvement in scam syndicate activities in Cambodia and China.

“The complainant, who went to the scene, found that his colleague had been handcuffed for nearly an hour before being released, and claimed he was forced to hand over RM5,000 in cash to the officer at the restaurant,” he said in a statement today.

Sazalee said the suspect has been remanded for four days from yesterday until Tuesday to assist in investigations.

The case is being investigated under Section 384 of the Penal Code for extortion. — Bernama