Kedah police have detained 36 people believed to be involved in a quarrel in Sungai Petani to assist in
investigation, said Kedah police chief Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim.

Ahmad said the suspects aged between 18 and the 30's were now being detained at the Kuala Muda police headquarters in Sungai Petani.

He said the last arrest was made at 4.30am yesterday around Sungai Petani and police will be detaining several more suspects based on information obtained from investigation.

"We will be arresting all those involved. Police will not compromise with anyone who carry out provocation to create unrest," he said at a media conference at the Kedah contingent police headquarters, here today.

On parties spreading rumours through the social media, blog and SMS that a riot had broken out in Kuala Muda especially in Sungai Petani, Ahmad said the state Commercial CID would be investigating to act against parties for disseminating false information on the situation.

He said what actually transpired was a minor squabble among a group of youths and not a riot as portrayed in the blogs and social media.

"The situation is calm and the people should give their full cooperation to harmonise the situation. We are also disseminating the correct information in Facebook to the people and we do not have anything to hide," he said.

Ahmad also warned rumour mongers to stop spreading provocative and sensational information which could inflame the people and spark racial problems.

He said the allegations of deaths arising from the quarrel between races were not true and the situation in the district was under control.

"I have monitored the situation in Sungai Petani and everything is as normal and shops are open. There were no temples or other religious places razed as reported by bloggers," Ahmad said.