KOTA TINGGI: Police arrested two more participants of the Pan Asia Run 2024, for allegedly engaging in indecent and lewd behaviour during the fun run held in Desaru, Bandar Penawar, here recently.
The arrested was a local 70-year-old man and a foreigner aged 49.
The local was arrested at the Kota Tinggi district police headquarters at 6pm, while the foreigner was picked up from his hotel at 8pm yesterday.
Meanwhile, two of the three men picked up on Saturday, will face charges at the Kota Tinggi sessions court today.
The three men, a local and two foreigners, aged between 39 and 70, were detained at their hotel at 10pm on Oct 5.
The two foreigners, aged 66 and 70, will be charged under Section 294(a) of the Penal Code for committing obscene acts in public.
If convicted, the suspects could face up to three months in jail, a fine, or both.
The local man who was arrested with the trio, was released.
Johor police Datuk M. Kumar said investigations into the incident, which has sparked public outrage due to its religious sensitivities, have been completed. The investigation papers were referred to the state prosecution director's office yesterday.
The foreigners, who will be facing court charges today, were among the participants in the international running event.
Yesterday, in a separate police operation led to the arrest of the local man, 49, and another foreign national, 70, for further questioning over their involvement in the indecent displays.
Police seized several items believed to have been worn during the event, including a red skirt, a red cloth, and a red wig.
However, drug tests conducted on the suspects returned negative, and none of the arrested individuals have prior criminal records.
Kumar said that the event organiser, The Johor Baru Hash House Harriers, did not promote or endorse any elements that could cause discomfort or violate religious or cultural sensitivities in the country.
He also urged the public to refrain from speculation that could hinder investigations or incite unrest.