GEORGE TOWN, Nov 21 — Penang police are investigating 28 allegations of identity theft during the recently ended 15th general election.

State police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said 33 reports were filed alleging improper use of identity cards by others to cast their ballots last Saturday.

He added that a total of 76 complaints were received throughout the entire election period starting from nomination day on November 5 right up to polling day on November 19.

"We will investigate the cases under Section 7 of the Election Offences Act 1954 for the offence of impersonating a voter and offenders are liable to be jailed not more than two years and fined not more than RM5,000 if convicted,” he said in a press conference at the Penang police headquarters here today.

He said four cases have been considered solved after four people were charged in court.

He said the police has also received reports of a video featuring a political leader who touched on religious sensitivities that was spread on social media.

"A total eight reports were made on the video, lodged in other states such as three in Kuala Lumpur, two in Perak and one each in Pahang, Kelantan and Sabah,” he said.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 4A(1) of the Election Offences Act 1954, Section 298 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Mohd Shuhaily also disclosed a total of 12 roadblocks in Penang following Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani’s announcement of increased crime prevention measures to ensure public order and safety round the clock.

He said there will be three roadblocks each in the northeast district of the island and South Seberang Perai, two in Central Seberang Perai, four in North Seberang Perai and one in the southwest district of the island.