MUKAH, Oct 7 — Police have arrested a 36-year-old local man for allegedly making threats in the Melanau dialect while brandishing a machete during a Facebook Live broadcast.

Mukah district police chief DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias confirmed that the arrest was made following a viral video showing the suspect uttering threatening words while waving a sharp weapon.

“The video, which lasted about 2 minutes and 16 seconds, was uploaded by Facebook owner Syawal Mohamad and has since gone viral on social media,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Muhamad Rizal said police received a report around 5pm on Oct 6 from a 34-year-old private company employee, believed to be the target of the threats.

Acting on intelligence and information, he said a team from the Mukah District Police Headquarters arrested the suspect around 5.30pm on the same day.

He added that police also seized a machete, a mobile phone, a car, a mask believed to have been used during the incident, and the clothing worn in the video.

Muhamad Rizal said urine tests conducted on the suspect returned negative for drugs.

The suspect, who works as an e-hailing driver, was remanded on Oct 7 to assist with investigations under Section 507 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958.

Muhamad Rizal also advised the public not to make or share any statements or videos that could cause public alarm, especially on social media.

Those with information related to the case are urged to contact Mukah IPD at 084-871222 or any nearby police station. — The Borneo Post

 Malay Mail – Malaysia