KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 — Police have denied reports that a youth suspected of hurling a water bottle at the police during a New Year’s Eve protest at Dataran Merdeka had been surrendered to the authorities.

Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zainuddin Ahmad said no arrest was made.

He also rubbished statements from Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), who said they turned over the suspect.

It was reported that SAMM had claimed police whisked the suspect away from Dataran Merdeka to an unidentified police station.

“If at all their allegations were true, cyber-troopers would have posted pictures of the so-called suspect by now. They would have also hurled abusive comments at the authorities,” Zainuddin said.

“I have checked with all police stations and no one was arrested.”

SAMM propaganda director Edy Noor Reduan reportedly said the suspect was not wearing a black shirt like other protesters but a home Chelsea jersey.

The group said they did not know what happened to the suspect after turning him over.

The protest was held at Dataran Merdeka, where a concert organised by City Hall was taking place.

Some 5,000 people turned up for the protest, organised by a group of NGOs led by Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun), to oppose government policies which have led to the rise in cost of essential goods.

At least two police personnel were reportedly injured.