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Police have arrested 15 individuals after a dangerous viral stunt involving flares, reckless driving, and electric scrambler motorcycles in Bukit Bintang was found to be part of a publicity campaign for a clothing store
Dang Wangi district police chief Sazalee Adam said the suspects, 14 men and one woman aged between 17 and 30, were detained less than 24 hours after videos of the incident spread across social media.
The arrests were carried out between 12pm and 10pm yesterday, 18 May, in Batu Caves, Shah Alam, Kajang, and Dengkil, following information received from the public.
According to Sazalee, the group included the 24-year-old clothing store owner, employees, and several individuals hired specifically to participate in the stunt.
"Eight individuals were paid to take part in the activity, with payments ranging between RM50 and RM700," he said during a press conference at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, as reported by the New Straits Times.
Police also seized a Toyota Hilux pickup truck, two electric scrambler motorcycles, and clothing believed to have been worn during the incident.
Sazalee said investigations found that the scrambler motorcycles used in the stunt were off-road vehicles not permitted for public road use.
"The vehicles belonged to some of the suspects, with payments for their use made by the shop owner rather than external rental arrangements," he said.
Preliminary investigations found that the viral stunt was organised to promote a clothing business as part of a sixth anniversary promotional campaign for the Dengkil-based store
The revelation also appears to explain the '6.6' flag displayed during the incident, which police had earlier been investigating.
Authorities said all 15 suspects tested negative for drugs, while checks into prior criminal records are still ongoing.
The case is being investigated under multiple provisions of the law, with police applying Section 290 of the Penal Code for public nuisance, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, Section 6 of the Explosives Act 1957, Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.
"All of them have been remanded for three days from today, 19 May, to assist investigations," Sazalee said.
The incident gained widespread attention after videos showed several individuals lighting flares while standing and riding on a moving pickup truck along Jalan Sultan Ismail near Bukit Bintang.
