From Malay Mail · · 1m 40s
A stolen UNHCR card, a lawnmower, and an arrest in Johor
Two Rohingya men in Johor Bahru were robbed of the one document that proves who they are, and police have a suspect in custody.
In brief
Two Rohingya men in Johor Bahru were robbed of the one document that proves who they are, and police have a suspect in custody. Nobody except the authorities may stop a person and check their identity documents. Anyone else who does it is breaking the law. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
An arrest in Taman Perling
Police in Johor Bahru have arrested a 25-year-old local man suspected of robbing, assaulting and criminally intimidating two Rohingya men in Taman Perling.
Two reports, two days
Johor police chief CP Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the victims, aged 25 and 35, filed reports over incidents on Sept 9 and 10.
Stopped while hunting for work
The first man was on his motorcycle looking for lawn-mowing jobs when the suspect flagged him down and took his UNHCR card and his lawnmower.
“The first victim was riding a motorcycle looking for lawn-mowing clients when the suspect stopped him, demanding and snatching his UNHCR card”
Then a second man nearby
Minutes later the suspect confronted another Rohingya man in the same area, demanded his UNHCR card, then punched and threatened him.
“demanding his UNHCR card before punching and threatening him during an altercation”
A tip-off and a parang
A tip led police to arrest him in Taman Perling at 5.40pm. They seized a lawnmower, a parang, a UNHCR card, a motorcycle key and clothing.
Clean drug test, prior record
The suspect tested negative for drugs but has a criminal record. He is remanded for seven days, until Sept 18, while police verify the cards with UNHCR in Kuala Lumpur.
Only the authorities can ask
Police used the case to draw a line: stopping someone to inspect their papers is police work, not a civilian's. The case runs under Sections 392, 323 and 506 of the Penal Code.
“any party other than the authorities who detains, blocks, or checks an individual's identification documents is acting against the law”
What to remember
Nobody except the authorities may stop a person and check their identity documents. Anyone else who does it is breaking the law.
