6-6-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Two men have been apprehended by Malaysian authorities for allegedly impersonating police personnel and engaging in a car chase on an expressway. The incident unfolded when the suspects reportedly trailed a driver who was traveling from Singapore to Genting Highlands.
The Kulai police department launched investigations after receiving a report on Monday (Jun 5) regarding footage of the incident that had been widely shared on social media. The incident is believed to have occurred near the Sedenak exit on the North-South Highway in Kulai, Johor state.
Johor police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday morning that two Malaysian men, aged 43 and 48, were arrested during a police operation at 6pm the previous day. Mr. Kamarul Zaman stated that one of the suspects is a civil servant, although he did not provide further details. He also mentioned that one of the arrested men had a previous conviction related to drug offenses.
During the arrest, the police seized various items, including a portable beacon light, reflective vest, torch light, headlight, and a Honda City car. The Johor police chief indicated that the two suspects may face charges under section 170 of the penal code, which carries a potential sentence of up to 2 years in jail, a fine, or both. Additionally, they may be charged under Section 135 of the Customs Act, which could result in imprisonment of between six months and five years, along with a fine.
The video of the incident, which has gone viral, was uploaded on Facebook by a user named Freeman Gan WT. The footage showed Gan being chased by three men in a grey car. It remains unclear if the third suspect has been apprehended, as CNA has reached out to Johor police for clarification.
In his Facebook post, Gan mentioned that he initially believed the individuals chasing him were genuine police officers, as he observed flashing blue lights on their vehicle. He described the encounter, which took place around 5.40 am in Kulai, stating that he noticed a car tailing them while he was taking a friend to Genting Highlands. As the car continued to follow them at varying speeds, Gan became suspicious and suspected that they might be dealing with “fake police.”
To avoid stopping, Gan decided to “race” the car and contacted the police for assistance. The authorities advised him not to pull over on the highway but to proceed to the nearest police station if the car persisted in tailing them.
