Cops arrest man suspected of inciting crowd at National Day celebration

On Monday morning, police apprehended a man believed to have incited a crowd to breach security at the National Day celebration in Dataran Putrajaya, according to reports from Kuala Lumpur. The 30-year-old suspect, identified as a cook, was detained at 12:15am following five separate police reports filed against him. The incident occurred after the man allegedly incited those around him to rush past the gates, causing a surge in the crowd that left several spectators injured.

Fadil Marsus, the Kuala Lumpur police chief, stated that the suspect was being investigated under multiple sections of the Penal Code, Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and Minor Offences Act 1955. These include Section 505(b) for statements that incite public mischief, Section 233 for improper use of network facilities, and Section 14 for insulting behavior.

Additionally, the man is being investigated for drug use under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, as he tested positive for cannabis. He has been remanded in custody for a day.

Fadil further noted that members of the public with relevant information about the incident were urged to assist in the ongoing investigation. A viral video of the event, purportedly captured around 5am, shows a man dressed in orange provoking and pushing those waiting for the security gates to open, seemingly encouraging them to force their way through.