Residents of a neighbourhood in Kepong, Selangor, were left unsettled after a mysterious man dressed in what appeared to be an Imperial Japanese Army uniform was spotted walking through the streets late at night while carrying what looked like a rifle.
The unusual sighting, which quickly went viral on social media, has prompted a police investigation into whether any laws were broken.
Adding to the mystery, residents claimed the man seemingly vanished moments after security personnel were alerted and arrived to search the area.
Resident Captures Eerie Late-Night Sighting
A video circulating online shows a man dressed in a military uniform resembling that of the Imperial Japanese Army walking alone along a quiet residential street.
The individual was seen carrying what appeared to be a rifle while calmly making his way through the neighbourhood. At one point, he briefly turned his head as though he had noticed someone recording him before continuing to walk away.
According to a resident’s post on Threads, the clip was first shared in the estate’s group chat at about 10.37pm on 22 June.
However, when security personnel responded just a minute later, they reportedly could not locate the individual anywhere in the vicinity, fuelling speculation among residents about his sudden disappearance.
Police Probe Possible Offences
Despite rumours circulating online, Malaysian police have confirmed that investigations are focused on identifying the man and determining whether any laws were breached.
Gombak district police said they received a report after the video gained traction on WhatsApp and social media.
Investigators are looking into the incident under Section 140 of Malaysia’s Penal Code, which covers the unauthorised wearing of attire resembling official military, naval or air force uniforms.
If found guilty, the offender could face up to three months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM1,000, or both.
Authorities are also examining whether offences under Section 36 of the Arms Act 1960 may have been committed over the alleged possession of an imitation firearm.
Police have urged anyone with information regarding the identity of the individual or the incident to come forward to assist with investigations.
While many social media users jokingly suggested paranormal explanations due to Malaysia’s wartime history, police have treated the matter as a criminal investigation rather than a supernatural occurrence.