KUALA LUMPUR: A Selangor assemblyman and several political aides were among 17 people who were arrested in Puchong early on Sunday.
All but one allegedly tested positive for drugs following a police raid on a wild private party.
The assemblyman, his political aide, staff of other politicians and friends including six women aged between 26 and 53 were found to have consumed drugs and gambled in a condominium unit in Puchong at 4.40am.
It is learnt that the raid was conducted following public complaints of loud noise.
The raiding party, comprising police personnel from the Brickfields police headquarters, seized small amounts of ganja and ketamine from the premises. Also found at the place was a deck of playing cards and betting chips.
Except for a 36-year-old individual, the rest including the assemblyman and the political aides tested positive for drugs.
The political aides caught in the bust were staff of the Home Ministry, Prime Minister’s Department and Youth and Sports Ministry.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said in a press conference in Bukit Aman that those held were released on bail after their statements were recorded.
Abdul Hamid, who did not disclose the identities of those arrested, said conclusive tests would be carried out to verify the preliminary findings of drug use by the individuals.
“We will reveal more on the case in the coming days.
“Our narcotics crimes investigations department is carrying out the probe.
“I assure there will not be any meddling (by third parties) in this matter.” he said.
In a statement, PPBM party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also clarified that one of the suspects arrested is not his special officer as reported widely but a staff at the party’s headquarters.
Separately, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq said he had received information of the arrest, and that his staff would be suspended indefinitely pending investigations.
“I leave this matter to the authorities for action according to the rule of law,” he said.
