KUCHING: Seventeen teenagers were arrested for causing a riot in a front of a renowned hotel at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg on Sunday.
Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief SAC Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the incident that happened at 11.50am was due to a misunderstanding on a girlfriend issue.
“Both groups had a talk on why one of the group members brought his girlfriend to the place. While they were talking, emotions got the better of them, thus, resulting in a commotion in front of the hotel.
“Those involved have been arrested and are being investigated. Once actions are taken, we might release them on police bail,” he told reporters today at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess of the Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK).
Asked whether a machete was used in the commotion as claimed in a 56-second viral video, Salahuddin said the objects used in the riot were motorcycle helmets. He said police did not find any machete.
District police chief ACP Awang Din Awang Gani, when contacted, said the hotel’s security alerted the police after noticing a fight between two teenage groups in front of the hotel.
A police team managed to arrest four of them at the scene and two more at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) after they were treated for their injuries.
A screenshot of the video clip showing some of the teenagers in front of the hotel. 
