Police chief Musa Hassan said the trouble began in northeastern Terengganu state when Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) supporters stopped several buses and cars carrying people arriving to cast their votes in general elections.
PAS has accused the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition of ferrying in “phantom voters” to skew the outcome of today's polls.
Musa said police intervened after PAS supporters confiscated dozens of identity cards from the people inside the vehicles, triggering scuffles in the coastal town of Rusila.
“The PAS supporters threw stones at police vehicles, forcing the police to release tear gas to control the situation,” he said.
PAS officials said PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang's son, Mohamad Kholil Abdul Hadi, 32, suffered a serious injury to his face during the melee and was treated in hospital, where he received stitches.
“We will investigate further whether the leaders incited these people. We have detained 20 of them for investigation,” Musa said, denying those on the buses were engaged in electoral fraud.
“No, there is no such thing as phantom voters. If they have registered, they can vote. They are all legitimate voters,” he said.
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