KOTA KINABALU, Nov 6 — Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (PKDM) president Datuk Peter Anthony was detained by police who are investigating the riot in Tenom during candidate nominations yesterday.

Sabah police commissioner Datuk Idrus Abdullah said that police are investigating the incident and detained Peter last night after a report was lodged.

"He was arrested around midnight at the Karamunsing police station.

"He was later released in the morning after his statement was taken,” he said in a short statement.

Investigation papers were opened under Section 147 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (A) of the Election Act 1954 for rioting and loitering within 50 metres of the nomination centre.

The maximum punishment if convicted is two years’ jail, or fine, or both.

A riot broke out in Tenom town yesterday around noon after Peter’s nomination papers were rejected by the Election Commission (EC).

Police had to fire tear canisters to disperse the crowd as emotions ran high after the news broke.

Peter has since apologised for the incident and said that the disturbance was due to the irregular way that his papers were rejected only after the initial objection period.

He said that he would be filing court charges against the EC for rejecting his bid to contest the seat.

He submitted his nomination papers despite an undischarged conviction for forgery in August, for which he was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and a RM50,000 fine. Peter claimed he was still entitled to run in the election as he was appealing the decision.