Police probe assault, pickup truck vandalism linked to Tasek Bera operation

BERA: Police are tracking down a suspect who allegedly damaged a pickup truck and assaulted a man in Kampung Kuala Serting here yesterday.

The incident is believed to be linked to an ongoing land enforcement operation at the Tasek Bera Conservation Forest Reserve.

The suspect allegedly smashed the side mirror of a Toyota Hilux before punching a man on the shoulder. He then fled on foot in the incident, which occurred at 3pm.

Bera district police chief, Superintendent Zulkiflee Nazir, said the suspect arrived on a Modenas motorcycle before approaching the Hilux, which was parked by the roadside, and damaging its side mirror.

"He then walked towards a man standing nearby and punched him on the shoulder while hurling abusive words at the victim.

"The suspect fled moments later, leaving his motorcycle behind. The victim subsequently lodged a police report," he said in a statement today.

Zulkiflee said police were tracking down the suspect using the motorcycle's registration number. He urged anyone with information about the incident to visit the nearest police station.

He said the case was being investigated under Sections 323 and 427 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt and committing mischief, respectively.

Zulkiflee said police believed the incident was linked to a land enforcement operation conducted by the Pahang State Enforcement Unit (UPNP) at Tasek Bera.

The UPNP, together with several other agencies, is conducting a remeasurement exercise at the forest reserve to curb encroachment.

In recent weeks, several villagers have reportedly been arrested for obstructing enforcement personnel from carrying out their duties. Threats have also allegedly been made to prevent the operation from continuing.