A security guard has been arrested to assist investigations into a viral video allegedly showing him acting aggressively towards a woman believed to be his mother outside a zakat office here on Wednesday.
Kuala Muda District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Hanyan Ramlan said the man, in his 30s, was detained to facilitate further investigations into the incident.
He said police needed to conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether any act of violence had occurred, as the video alone may not provide the full picture of the incident.
“We need to be transparent and investigate whether there were witnesses who can assist us in determining if any form of violence took place, or whether certain angles of the video may have created a different impression,” he said.
Hanyan also urged members of the public who witnessed the incident or have additional video recordings to come forward to assist police investigations.
The matter came to light after a video circulated on social media allegedly showed the man holding an object believed to be sharp while instructing the woman to get onto a motorcycle.
The man was also seen appearing to pull the woman’s headscarf, causing her to follow his instructions. However, police said no weapon or sharp object has been seized so far.
Hanyan advised the public not to make any speculation and allow police to complete their investigation, including determining whether any weapon was involved.
The case is being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.
Meanwhile, Kuala Muda District Zakat Officer Ahmad Mustaqim Zainul Abidin said the man and the woman had earlier visited the office to submit documents related to repair works for their home.
He said the 50-year-old woman, who is believed to be a person with a mental disability, lives with her only son, daughter-in-law and grandchild in Kampung Segantang Garam, Merbok.
According to him, the zakat office had approved assistance to repair their poorly maintained house by providing facilities including two bedrooms, a kitchen area and a toilet.
He added that the pair’s visit had proceeded normally and staff only became aware of the incident after the video went viral, while hoping the matter would be resolved properly through the police investigation.
