KOTA KINABALU: Police here have arrested 21 secondary students in connection with a brawl that was caught on a viral video in Sabah's Sandakan district.

       Sandakan OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Fuad Abdul Malek said the students, aged from 14 to 18, were picked up from three different schools on Wednesday (May 25).

       He said a former student was also detained to aid the police probe.

       "They are all suspected of being involved in the fight," he said in a statement.

       ACP Abdul Fuad said that initial investigations found that the brawl started following a misunderstanding between the boys on Jalan Elopura, Bandar Sandakan.

       It was learned that the students were badmouthing each other's school and the verbal exchange turned physical.

       "We will complete our investigation paper which will then be submitted to the Attorney General's office for further action," ACP Abdul Fuad said.

       In the 22-second clip, the students dressed in school uniform can be seen treading blows with each other. Several men are seen shouting at them in an attempt to stop the fight.