Remand order against Papa Gomo may be extended - Khalid

The remand order against blogger Papa Gomo who was arrested following the recent rioting incident at Low Yat Plaza may be extended, said Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

Papa Gomo or Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris was arrested under Section 4(1) of the Sedition act 1948 for several postings he made on Twitter.

Among the postings which garnered attention on social media was a picture of a man covered in blood which allegedly related to the incident at Low Yat Plaza.

It was later revealed that the picture was in fact taken from an unrelated incident.

The violence over the weekend began after a 22-year-old youth was detained by the plaza management for allegedly trying to steal a smartphone.

The suspect, Shahrul Anuar Abdul Aziz, was later handed over to the police and his accomplice was said to have instigated his friends to run riot.

Shahrul Anuar on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to stealing smartphone at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate Court, Jalan Duta. He was released on a RM3,000 bail.

Meanwhile, Khalid said today that Low Yat Plaza where the incident took place last weekend is safe for the public, according to Bernama.

He said the police would continue to conduct patrols around the area to ensure that the situation remains safe.

"I confirm that the place is safe. Some people are trying to disrupt public order by spreading false information," he told reporters when met at the Aidilfitri open house at Bukit Aman.