GEORGE TOWN: Two women were among 17 people arrested by the police to assist in the investigation of a riot that stemmed from a fight outside Queen Waterfront Q1 in Bayan Lepas early yesterday morning.
Southwest district police chief Sazalee Adam said all the suspects, aged between 19 and 40, were arrested separately at various locations around Bayan Lepas yesterday.
He added that the arrests were made after a clip of the fight, believed to have occurred at 2 am, went viral on social media.
"The incident is believed to have stemmed from a misunderstanding between a couple.
"Based on a police report filed by a male complainant, he saw his girlfriend with an unidentified man, which led to a minor scuffle between the complainant and the man.
"However, the situation was diffused by the woman," he said when contacted.
Sazalee added that the complainant then called his friends and mother to have a proper discussion with his girlfriend.
The situation, however, turned ugly when 10 men suddenly appeared and started assaulting the complainant with helmets.
He said the complainant managed to escape to a nearby police station, where he lodged a report about the fight.
Following the incident, police launched an operation, Op Cantas, and arrested all those involved in the fight around Bayan Lepas.
"As a result of the arrests, police confiscated five helmets used during the fight from the 17 suspects, who include factory workers, college students, restaurant assistants, traders, and unemployed individuals," he said.
Sazalee added that preliminary investigations showed three of the suspects have previous records of drug-related offence.
He also said all suspects have been remanded for four days and the case is investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for possessing weapons at a riot.