JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested three men, including two foreigners, for allegedly committing indecent behaviour during a controversial running event in Kota Tinggi.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the three suspects, including a local aged 39 to 70, were arrested at a hotel in Kota Tinggi at around 10pm on Saturday night (Oct 5).
“Their arrest is to help with the investigation over their involvement in carrying out indecent behaviour, including public exposure during the running event.
“Police also seized several accessories from the suspects including a red sari, a red skirt, three silver coloured cardboards with a fake spear shaft,” he said in a statement here on Sunday (Oct 6).
Comm Kumar added that the three suspects tested negative for drugs. Further background checks found they have no prior criminal records between them.
“Initial police investigation found their action to be their own and did not represent the organiser or the running event that was organised,” he said.
Comm Kumar also added that the case was classified under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 294 of the Penal Code.
He said the investigation was still ongoing, and the public should not speculate, as it could affect the investigation and threaten public order.
On Saturday, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state government would investigate the controversial running event after concerns were raised over participants’ allegedly inappropriate clothing.
He stressed that the event, which has sparked outrage on social media, was not organised by the state government or any of its agencies.
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“The Johor government wishes to clarify that it was not involved in organising this event. Neither the government nor any state agency granted permission or leniency for any activity that disrespects the sensitivities of Islam in Johor,” he said.
Onn Hafiz confirmed that the authorities are taking the matter seriously and have requested a full police investigation.
Discussions with the police and the event organisers revealed that the situation had escalated beyond the organisers' control.
“The organiser clarified that the incident did not reflect the intended objective of the event and was beyond their control,” he added.
The state government, he said, would take firm action against any party that organises events threatening the harmony and sovereignty of Islam or tarnishing Johor’s image.
“We will not tolerate any activities that disrupt the state’s harmony or undermine the sanctity of Islam. This issue should not be prolonged as it could jeopardise the peace and unity of Johor,” he said.
The controversy arose from an international running event held in Bandar Penawar, which attracted backlash on social media due to participants allegedly dressing inappropriately.
