KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — Police opened 31 investigation papers on various offences committed during the 15th general election (GE15) campaign yesterday.

Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) GE15 operations director Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali said of the total, seven investigation papers were opened in Perak, followed by Kedah (five), Negri Sembilan (four), Johor (four), Selangor (three), Pahang (two), Kelantan (two), Sabah (two) and one each in Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak.

Some of the offences, including incitement, criminal threats as well as damaging flags and signs belonging to political parties and candidates, are being investigated under Sections 427, 436 and 505(b) of the Penal Code while other offences are being investigated under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Election Offences Act 1954.

He said four individuals were arrested, including two in Johor involving a man suspected of burning a tent at the operations room of a political party in Taman Mutiara, Batu Pahat and another man in Kluang for damaging campaign materials.

He said in a statement that the other two who were arrested — one each in Ipoh, Perak and Kuching, Sarawak — are being investigated in connection with damaging the posters and flags of party candidates.

Hazani said police also detected four ceramah held without permits, with three in Johor and one in Perlis.

A total of 2,211 permits to hold ceramah during the GE5 campaign period were issued yesterday, with 612 in Sabah followed by Sarawak (294), Perak (258), Johor (177), Kedah (162), Pahang (138), Selangor (119), Terengganu (102), Kelantan (95), Negri Sembilan (92), Melaka (76), Penang (47), Kuala Lumpur (27) and Perlis (12).

In Kuantan, Pahang police opened two GE15-related investigation papers for offences involving damaging flags and billboards belonging to political parties and candidates.

Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the two cases occurred in Felda Lembah Klau, Raub and Kampung Meranti Nenasi, Pekan.

“Police received reports of flags and banners being taken out and thrown into drains in Raub while in Pekan, reports were lodged regarding 30 flags and one billboard of a Bebar State Legislative Assembly candidate along the road being pulled out and damaged,” he said in a statement today.

Both offences are being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief. — Bernama