A BANGLADESHI man has been arrested for allegedly spreading fake news of seeing a tiger that has escaped from Zoo Negara.

Ampang Jaya police chief Mohamad Farouk Eshak said the 51-year-old man, who did not have a valid travel document, was picked up at a guardhouse in Jalan Tropika Kemensah 3, Kemensah Height, at 7pm yesterday.

He said the suspect is believed to be responsible for spreading news about seeing a tiger on the loose.

“Police received a report from a complainant who received a voice message through WhatsApp claiming to have seen a tiger in his neighbourhood and warned people to be vigilant,” he said in a statement today.

“The complainant felt that the allegation was untrue and has caused alarm among residents as so far there was no clear evidence of the presence of a tiger.”

Farouk said the man is being investigated under section 6(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for living in Malaysia without valid documents.

“Apart from that, an investigation has also been opened on the viral message under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act,” he said.

Yesterday, social media was abuzz that a tiger was seen prowling in Kemensah Height, a residential area in Hulu Klang.

Zoo Negara has confirmed no tiger has escaped from its captivity zone. – Bernama, May 21, 2022.