Kuala terengganu: Thirty-three Selangor FC supporters were remanded today for possessing drugs, testing positive for the substance, and for obstructing the duties of public servants in connection with the commotion that occurred at the Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge last night.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin stated that 21 of the detained supporters tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and were arrested under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
"Seven of them are students. Two are from public institutions of higher learning (IPTA), four from private institutions of higher learning (IPTS), and one from a secondary school. All the students will be investigated under Section 3(1) of the Drug Dependants Act 1983, before being handed over to the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK)," he told a media conference at the Terengganu Police Headquarters.
He elaborated that police received a report the previous night regarding the dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions of a group of supporters who held an uncontrolled procession, obstructed traffic, and lit flares.
The entire group, involving 412 people in 10 buses, was arrested in the 8 pm incident and taken to the Terengganu police headquarters. Upon inspecting the bus, police found and seized 19.1 grammes of ganja and 0.37 grammes of erimin 5, believed to be for personal use. Three arrests were made, and the case is being investigated under sections 12 (2) and 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
All 412 individuals, including the bus drivers, were tested for drugs, and 21 supporters tested positive for THC, while three were held for possessing ganja and are being investigated under Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Nine individuals were arrested for possessing flares, with investigations conducted under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957.
Magistrate Iffah Nabihah Mohd Ishak issued a one-day remand order against those arrested, aged between 17 and 43. Mohd Khairi advised the public, particularly football fans, to obey the law, be disciplined, and respect public security, adding that the police would not hesitate to take stern action against troublemakers.
"Those in possession of drugs have been remanded for four days until Feb 5, while those who tested positive for drugs and were arrested for criminal offences have been remanded for three days," he said.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) has also urged all clubs to monitor the actions of their supporters to ensure they do not cause any public disturbances or threaten public safety. "Such attitudes and behaviour (causing disruption to public order and safety), as shown by a few supporters, can give a bad image to local football, which should instead be seen as a platform for unity and sportsmanship," it said in a statement.
Earlier, several video clips went viral on social media depicting a group of Selangor FC supporters marching with the team's flag from the city towards the drawbridge before setting off flares on it.