KUALA LUMPUR - Police have launched investigations into 18 election-related offences, including flag burnings, physical brawls, and voter intimidation, as tensions simmer ahead of Saturday’s Melaka state election.
Melaka Police Chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar revealed today that authorities have lodged 19 reports across an 11-day campaign blitz that kicked off on Oct 31, though no suspects have been detained so far.
The bulk of the probes involve property destruction and arson under Sections 427 and 435 of the Penal Code, primarily targeting rival party flag burnings, alongside isolated reports of criminal threats.
"Most of the cases are being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for mischief and Section 435 for mischief by fire, particularly incidents involving the burning of flags," Dzulkhairi said after casting his early vote at the state police contingent headquarters in Bukit Beruang.
"There have also been cases of incitement and intimidation," he added.
Despite the flare-ups, Dzulkhairi maintained that the overall campaign environment has remained orderly, with 669 officers blanketing the state to keep the peace.
Security, however, is set to tighten drastically for polling day on Saturday, with 3,332 personnel deployed to safeguard polling centers statewide.
Backing the frontline force will be the elite Cantas tactical squad, tasked with shutting down unrest instantly. Dzulkhairi issued an unequivocal warning to party machinery and partisan agitators: step out of line, and arrests will follow.
"We will not hesitate to take swift action and make arrests if any disturbances occur," he warned, urging party supporters to respect the democratic process and refrain from intimidating or coercing voters. - November 10, 2026
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