Police in Malaysia have arrested a 25-year-old local man suspected of robbing, assaulting and criminally intimidating two Rohingya men in Taman Perling, Johor.

The incidents were reported to police on September 9 and 10 by the two victims, aged 25 and 35, according to Johor police chief CP Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad.

The first victim was riding a motorcycle while looking for lawn-mowing work when the suspect allegedly stopped him and demanded his UNHCR card and lawnmower. The suspect then confronted the second Rohingya man nearby, demanded his UNHCR card and allegedly punched and threatened him during an altercation.

According to Malay Mail, police arrested the suspect at about 5.40pm after receiving information about his whereabouts. A team from the Johor Bahru Utara district police headquarters’ criminal investigation department carried out the arrest in Taman Perling.

Police seized a lawnmower, a parang, a UNHCR card, a motorcycle key and a set of clothes from the suspect. He tested negative for drugs but has a previous criminal record.

The suspect has been remanded for seven days until September 18 to assist the investigation.

Police are also verifying the authenticity of the victims’ UNHCR cards with the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur.

Ab Rahaman warned that individuals who detain, obstruct or check another person’s identification documents without legal authority are acting against the law.

The case is being investigated under Section 392 of Malaysia’s Penal Code for robbery, Section 323 for voluntarily causing hurt and Section 506 for criminal intimidation.

BOB Post