Tawau district police chief Peter Umbuas said the men, aged between 26 and 31, were released at 3pm.

Police would continue investigating the case under the Penal Code, the Peaceful Assembly Act and the Emergency Ordinance.

“We referred to the deputy public prosecutor during our preliminary investigations … right now, we are continuing investigations by referring to our superiors,” he told reporters here today.

The seven men were arrested on Saturday after a demonstration outside Kampung Muhibbah Raya to air the problems faced by residents following the enforcement of the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in the village, which is one of 14 localities under EMCO in Tawau.

Probe into claim of detainee being beaten

Peter confirmed that police have received a report regarding a detainee linked to the demonstration being beaten while under police detention.

“The police report was made yesterday by a family member of the detainee and investigation papers have been opened to determine if the allegations are true,” he said.

Yesterday, Sabah police commissioner Hazani Ghazali denied that police had beaten a detainee, but ordered immediate investigations into the allegations.