Vegetable seller slashed by robber while protecting fiancee in Papar

KOTA KINABALU: A vegetable seller was seriously hurt after being slashed with a sword in a robbery in Sabah’s southwestern Papar district.

The 27-year-old man was returning after delivering vegetable supplies with his fiancee in the state capital Kota Kinabalu, some 40km from the district, before stopping by for a meal at a restaurant at 1.30am on Wednesday (May 1).

Papar police chief Supt Kamaruddin Ambo Sakka said the man parked his vehicle at the roadside and the couple proceeded to walk to the eatery, located near an apartment building.

"Suddenly, a car pulled up near them before a man who was armed with a sharp object believed to be a sword emerged from the vehicle and went after the fiancee," he said, when contacted on Thursday (May 2).

The assailant, who was wearing a motorcycle helmet, grabbed the woman's sling bag, he said, adding that a struggle then ensued between the suspect and her partner.

As a result, he said, the man sustained serious injuries to both hands, adding the latter also lost a bag containing important documents and a mobile phone.

"The victim was rushed to the Papar Hospital by the fiancee and is reported to be in stable condition," said Supt Kamaruddin.

He said the search is on for the suspect who escaped in a car believed to be driven by an accomplice.

The public may contact the Papar police station at 088-912222 or other nearby stations, he said.

He added information on the incident may also be channeled to investigating officer Insp Wong Yew Zhung at 010-563 5169.

Supt Kamaruddin said the case was being investigated under Section 394/397 of the Penal Code for armed gang robbery that caused grevious injuries on another person.

He also advised the public to avoid isolated and unlit areas at night time for their own safety.