PONTIAN, Malaysia: The people have been advised not to believe an SMS being circulated in the state warning them to stay indoor following a scuffle in a secondary school in Pekan Nanas.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wee Jeck Seng urged the police to come down hard on those responsible for circulating the SMS.

"All these are just rumours and lies spread by irresponsible people who want to create problems among the races," he said, adding that a special committee had now been formed in the district to look into student-related problems.

The SMS started circulating hours after a scuffle between a parent and a school teacher after the latter tried to prevent him and three other men from entering the school at 1.40pm on Monday.

Investigations showed that the father had come to the school after his son complained that a Form Five student had slapped him on April 17.

The 36-year-old father, who was arrested for tresspassing, has been remanded until Thursday.

Within hours, several hundred people had gathered outside the Pontian police station. After several hours, the group dispersed.

It is learnt that some of those gathered at the station threw objects at a police van transporting the suspect, shattering the windscreen.

State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said the situation was under control and warned that the police would come down hard on rumour mongers.

Those with information can contact the police hotline at 07-221 2999 or the nearest police station.

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