KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — Sungai Besar Umno division chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunos will not be remanded and will likely be released by this evening, city deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Law Hong Soon said.

According to The Star Online, DCP Law said this during a visit to Petaling Street today.

He also told the public not to spread rumours that could affect national security.

“We are here to maintain the peace and security in the city. We hope the public will cooperate with us and do not spread any rumours as it is an offence,” he was reported as saying.

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Earlier today, Jamal’s secretary Durrany Izam said the leader, who was arrested last night over his recent warning of a possible riot today in Petaling Street, will likely be released today.

According to Malaysiakini, Durrany said the Sungai Besar Umno division chief is still at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters where he was taken to last night after his arrest in Ampang Jaya.

“He is still in Dang Wangi now. We’re hoping he’ll be released by 8pm, but he should be out around 6pm,” Durrany was quoted saying.

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Yesterday, police confirmed that Jamal, a spokesman for the #Merah169 rally on September 16, was arrested for warning earlier this week of a possible riot at Petaling Street today.

KL CID chief Datuk Zainuddin Ahmad told Malay Mail Online that Jamal was arrested at the Ampang Jaya district police headquarters under Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), and was subsequently transferred to Dang Wangi station.

Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code allows for an arrest without warrant to prevent “seizable offences”.

Jamal, who is president of the Coalition of Malay NGOs that organised the Himpunan Maruah Melayu (Malay Dignity Rally) version of #Merah169, had on Wednesday said that authorities’ failure to take action on Petaling Street traders allegedly selling fake goods will inevitably force “red shirt” protesters to return there this Saturday and possibly “riot”.

Following public backlash against his “warning”, Jamal sent a statement yesterday to clarify his remark and denied he was organising the purported gathering today.

During the September 16 #Merah169 rally, protesters tried to breach a police barricade blocking off entry into Petaling Street, in a bid to reach the area known as “Chinatown” that Jamal later claimed was Chinese dominated and prejudicial against Malays.

The incident forced the police to use water cannons to disperse the crowd that lingered on despite the use of force.

The protesters dispersed only when Jamal came and promised them that he would press the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry to take action against Petaling Street traders for selling counterfeits and, according to him, pornographic material.