State polls: Cops open 240 investigation papers, detain 15 individuals

KUALA LUMPUR - The police have opened 240 investigation papers and made 15 arrests related to the elections in six states from July 27 to Aug 12.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said 1,951 reports were received, with 78 investigation papers opened in Selangor, followed by 42 each in Penang and Kedah, 34 in Terengganu, 25 in Negeri Sembilan and 19 in Kelantan.

"During this period, 782 reports were received in Selangor, 390 in Terengganu, 293 in Kedah, 265 in Kelantan, 135 in Negeri Sembilan and 86 in Penang.

"A total of 15 individuals have been detained, nine in Kedah and two each in Penang, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan," he said in a statement, today.

Razaruddin added that a total of 4,506 permits were approved by the police during the campaign period, with Kedah recording the highest number of licenses at 976, followed by Selangor (933), Kelantan (882), Terengganu (768), Negeri Sembilan (495) and Penang (452).

Commenting on the cases reported on polling day, yesterday, Razarudin said 111 investigation papers were opened out of 181 reports received involving various offences.

He added that the offences included Section 7 of the Election Offences Act 1954 for using another person's identification card, recording the highest number of cases at 94.

"Selangor had the highest number of cases involving misuse of identification cards, which is 48 cases, followed by Penang (20), nine each in Kedah and Terengganu, six in Negeri Sembilan, and two in Kelantan," he said.

Other offences reported were flag desecration, displaying political logos, obstructing public servants, and holding unlawful gatherings.