Kuala Lumpur: Police are expected to record a statement from Hulu Kinta assemblyman Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad this week over allegations that a firearm was brandished during yesterday’s PKR branch-level elections. Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said, however, that no specific date or time has been set to take the political leader’s statement.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Noor Hisam stated that Muhamad Arafat is currently busy campaigning for the Ayer Kuning by-election and expressed hope that he will come to the station sometime this week. This was mentioned during a press conference at the Perak Senior Police Officers’ Mess where Noor Hisam also witnessed the handover of duties for the Sungai Siput police chief post from DSP Rohai Zimi Rozali to acting chief Supt A.W. Charan and the Tapah police chief post from Supt Johari Yahya to acting chief DSP Mohd Fadzil Ismail.

Yesterday, a report was received at 12.28 pm from a man alleging a commotion during a Hari Raya gathering at the Taman Indah Community Hall. Noor Hisam noted that eight witnesses have provided their statements, and police are working to identify additional individuals present during the incident, as captured in a viral video. Muhamad Arafat has denied the allegation and lodged a police report over the claim.

In another development, police are awaiting further instructions from the deputy public prosecutor concerning a political influencer detained in connection with the ‘Negaraku’ anthem controversy. Noor Hisam stated that the influencer was released on police bail after her statement was recorded at the Hilir Perak District police headquarters.

On April 10, Hilir Perak police chief ACP Bakri Zainal Abidin mentioned that the woman, in her 40s, was released on bail to assist investigations into claims that the national anthem was sung in a different language at a school in Teluk Intan. He clarified that the children did not sing the national anthem but the Perak state anthem.