NIBONG TEBAL: Police have opened an investigation paper in connection with a report lodged over damaged Pakatan Harapan (PH) flags and campaign materials in Bandar Tasek Mutiara.
State police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said the case was probed under Section 427 of the Penal Code.
"We have received a report and investigating it for mischief under Section 427 of the Penal Code," he said today.
Penang PKR Youth filed a report at the Seberang Prai Selatan district police headquarters here yesterday over damaged Pakatan Harapan flags and campaign materials in Bandar Tasek Mutiara on Wednesday.
It was reported that 38 PH banners and 53 flags were taken down and damaged, with some found inside drains, and replaced with Perikatan Nasional's (PN) campaign materials.
With another eight days of campaigning to go, Hamzah advised all quarters not to raise any provocation, including causing mischief or damaging campaign materials.
Hamzah said police would also continue to monitor activities on social media to identify the spread of false news, slander or incitement, that can disturb public order.
"We will not hesitate to act against anyone who violated the law," he added.
Meanwhile, Hamzah said police had approved 45 permits for campaigning since the start of the campaigning period.
He said no permit application was rejected.
The Sungai Bakap by-election will see a straight fight between PH's Dr Joohari Ariffin and PN's Abidin Ismail.
Polling has been fixed for July 6.