SEREMBAN, MALAYSIA: A policeman and two of his friends who claimed to be Bukit Aman policemen were arrested after one of them allegedly punched and threatened a manager at a karaoke lounge in Senawang.

The three, with two others, had gone to the karaoke lounge at around midnight on Friday and asked that they not be charged anything as they were from Bukit Aman.

The manager, who only wished to be known as Loo, told them that they could not entertain their requests but agreed to give a 10 per cent discount.

"The men, who allegedly brought their own drinks, then went into one of the karaoke rooms. At about 2am, the supervisor took the bill to them and told them to pay as they were closing.

"One of the men stood up and said the karaoke owners did not give him face although they were all from Bukit Aman and that he would make life miserable for them," said state MCA deputy youth chief Siow Koi Voon yesterday.

Loo then went into the room and explained that the management had never offered discounts even to family members but one of the men punched him twice, he said.

The policeman then took out several RM50 (S$21.15) notes and threw it on the floor. However, the supervisor took just RM90 (S$38) and returned the rest to the policeman, said Siow.

"The policeman had repeatedly told the workers that the entire group was from Bukit Aman and that he would act against the lounge if it operated after 1am. He even told the workers to have a good look at his face as he would be back with a vengeance."

Siow said the workers then made a complaint at the Senawang police station and a patrol car was sent to look for them.

"They found the men at a mamak restaurant. The workers, who were also present, said the policemen from the station knew the men and told the workers to 'settle it as it was a small matter'," he said.

The workers, unhappy with this, then went to the Seremban 2 police station to lodge a report.

When contacted, district police chief ACP Saiful Azly Kamaruddin confirmed the matter.

"We have arrested the policeman and we will take stern action against him if the allegations made by the workers are found to be true."

The Star/Asia News Network