Police investigate claims that personnel paid off by gangs

PETALING JAYA: An argument over control of a temple in Sea Park has taken a new turn, as police investigate a claim on social media that some of their own may have taken bribes from a local gang.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal (pic) said there were two reports lodged about the comment, which claimed that a 41-year-old man who had been arrested earlier had “paid off” police personnel in the district.

The man is said to head the management committee of the temple in question and has been released on police bail.

“The person who left the comment has been identified and will be called in. A statement will be recorded,” he said, adding that it was only fair to listen to both parties as the investigation continued.

The person is said to have made the comment on the Petaling Jaya police headquarters Facebook page on Thursday (Aug 20) but it has since been deleted.

ACP Nik Ezanee said one of the reports about the comment was lodged by the earlier arrested suspect and another by another individual in Brickfields.

The case will be investigated for defamation and improper use of network facilities.

On Wednesday (Aug 19), police arrested the man in Sea Park after a video of him arguing and threatening another man in front of the Petaling Jaya police headquarters went viral.

It is believed that both men were involved in a power struggle over the temple and there was a misunderstanding between the old and new management committees.

In a follow-up raid at the suspect’s office in Cheras, police found and seized two pistols with valid licences as well as 13 rounds of ammunition.

Police have also urged those who shared messages claiming the man had alleged ties with gangs and was extorting protection money with the help of the police, to come forward to share information on the matter.