THREE men were arrested by the police on suspicion of rioting on Jalan Abdullah Tahir, Johor Baru, on Wednesday.

Johor police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the three men, aged between 23 and 26, were arrested at the scene of the incident at 5.15am after calls from members of the public.

However, he said, a report on the incident was lodged 16 minutes later by a restaurant owner and his colleague, who claimed to have been beaten up by a group of men armed with a baseball bat and a stick.

He said the complainant, 44, suffered cuts and scratches to several parts of the body, while his 29-year-old colleague suffered pain in his stomach and head.

“Seven other men involved in the incident fled in two vehicles, a Proton Gen2 and a Toyota Vios, and the police are tracking them down,” he said in a statement today.

He said the suspects were remanded until Sunday to assist in the investigation under section 148 of the penal code and section 427 of the penal code.

He also urged those with information on the incident to contact Johor Baru Selatan hotline on 07-218 2323 or the investigating officer, Insp Jacky Jaulis on 014-656 6820.

A video of the incident was uploaded to social media. – Bernama, March 31, 2023.