KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 — A Malaysian citizen is among the 28 foreigners arrested by Singapore authorities over the rare outbreak of violence that stunned the republic on Sunday night, the Foreign Ministry confirmed today.
The verification follows a preliminary report by High Commissioner of Malaysia to Singapore Datuk Md Hussin Nayan of the possible involvement of a Malaysian in the riots that saw over 400 mostly South Asian workers attacks members of Singapore’s police and civil defence force.
“According to the Singapore Police Command Post also, one Malaysian national has been detained for investigations for possible involvement in the riot,” the ministry said in a statement today.
It also confirmed that five Malaysians working as auxiliary police in the island state were among the 27 security personnel injured after they were attacked by rioters.
“The High Commission of Malaysia will render the necessary consular assistance to the affected Malaysians in coordination with the authorities of Singapore.”
The riot erupted late Sunday in tightly-controlled Singapore’s congested Little India district after a 33-year-old Indian worker, Sakthivel Kumaravelu, was run over by a private bus, according to an AFP report.
Police said about 400 people were involved in the rare outbreak of public disorder, adding that 28 South Asian workers had been arrested on charges of rioting, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison as well as caning.
At least five vehicles including three police cars were torched in the violence. The situation was brought under control after elite police commandos arrived at the scene.
Today, the ministry also reminded Malaysians visiting, working or residing abroad to observe the local laws in their host countries.
