KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — A man dressed as Ultraman was detained near the main stage at Perak’s National Day celebrations today after police said his behaviour appeared suspicious in an area where Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and other members of the Perak royal family were due to be seated.
According to Berita Harian, Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the local man, who is in his 40s, was detained at about 5am after he was seen entering and lingering near the main stage area.
“Although he had not caused any disturbance, the man was detained because his behaviour appeared suspicious. Checks also found that the suspect had a record related to mental illness,” Mohd Alwi was quoted as saying after the celebration.
“He did not cause any disturbance. He only came here to watch this morning’s event, but we found his behaviour suspicious.
“So we took immediate action to detain him temporarily, and he does have a psychiatric history.”
Mohd Alwi said the man would be referred to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Tanjung Rambutan for further assessment.
The Perak-level National Day celebration, held in front of Ipoh Town Hall, was attended by Sultan Nazrin and Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim.
Also present were Raja Muda Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, Raja Di Hilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Idris Shah, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and members of the state executive council.
The incident comes a year after a similar episode at Perak’s National Day celebration, when a woman was detained after being filmed running towards Sultan Nazrin as he stood at attention during the state anthem.
She was later confirmed to have a psychiatric condition, with authorities saying her mental state had affected her actions at the time.
