SERDANG: Police have arrested eight men in connection with a brawl between two vehicle-towing groups in the middle of Jalan Serdang Raya 1/7 here, yesterday.
The 2pm clash was triggered by a misunderstanding over who was going to tow a customer’s stalled car, and the commotion quickly turned physical.
Punches and kicks were exchanged between the two groups in the middle of the road, causing congestion on the busy Serdang Raya road.
The incident was caught on video by several passers-by and footage has since gone viral on social media.
Serdang district police chief Assistant Commissioner Ismadi Borhan said as a result of the clash, a 36-year-old tow truck driver sustained a head injury, while his truck’s windscreen was smashed.
He said the injured man was taken to hospital, where he received outpatient treatment and was later allowed to go home.
“Initial investigation based on the injured driver’s report revealed that the fight arose from a misunderstanding after the customer called (the injured tow truck driver) for towing, but in the end, decided to use the services of an insured panel tow truck.
“When police arrived at the scene, there were about 20 men fighting on the road, but all fled upon our arrival,” he said, adding that no weapons were used during the fight.
Following the clash, Ismadi said a team of officers from the district headquarters conducted a special operation to track down all those involved.
“So far, we have already detained eight suspects and are looking for the rest of them. The case is being investigated under Section 147 for rioting, and Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief,” he said in a statement last night.
He said the suspects will be brought to the Petaling Jaya court for remand application today.
Ismadi advised the public to stay calm and not be easily provoked while on the road, as it could lead to violations of the law.
-NST