Jamal (centre, in black shirt and cap) was all smiles after his release from police custody.
KUALA LUMPUR: With a smile on his face, Sungai Besar Umno chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunos walked out of the Dang Wangi police station a free man at 8.30pm Saturday, a day after he was arrested.
Police did not seek remand for Jamal, who was picked up for making threats of a race-fueled riot in Petaling Street.
Speaking to reporters, Jamal blamed the media for blowing his statements "out of proportion", which landed him in police lockup.
He said he would lodge a police report against several "pro-Opposition" media for allegedly twisting his statements on the Petaling Street rally.
"My arrest Friday was saddening and unfair. It was based on media reports which were inaccurate, published on Sept 23.
"Only a part of my statement was reported and this was blown out of proportion, causing an uncomfortable situation.
"This not only troubled me when I was arrested, but also the police who were supposed to be with their families, as well as protecting Petaling Street and Bukit Bintang," he said.
Jamal said he had "from the get go" been trying to help the police as a "middle man" between rowdy protestors at the entrance to Petaling Street and authorities during the Sept16 "Red Shirt" rally.
"I am not involved. I am a good person, why would you want to charge me?" he said.
Jamal also pointed the blame for the Sept 16 ruckus at the Opposition and the Bersih 4 rally.
"I see that Pakatan and their leader Wan Azizah have made themselves look like the saviours of Petaling Street - going there and meeting the people.
"None of this would have happened if it was not for Bersih or them," said Jamal.
City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Zainuddin Ahmad confirmed Jamal's release.
Jamal was detained at the Ampang Jaya police station at 9pm Friday.
He was arrested under Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code to prevent a crime from occurring after he allegedly made statements that riots would occur in Petaling Street during the weekend, said police.
Jamal had said that a rally and possible riot would occur in the popular tourist destination if the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry failed to act on complaints of illegal traders.
He later distanced himself from the rally altogether a few days later.
