JOHOR BARU: What began as a personal debt dispute erupted into a violent late-night attack at a restaurant in Taman Mount Austin, leading to the arrest of 13 people, including a foreign woman.
Johor Baru Selatan OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat said 12 Malaysian men and a Vietnamese woman, aged between 20 and 40, were arrested in stages between 3am on Saturday and 12.40am yesterday at several locations around the district.
“Initial investigations found that a group of men assaulted a man and his male friend using metal chairs and a meat cleaver,” he said in a statement.
The attack is believed to have stemmed from a misunderstanding over a personal debt.
The victim suffered injuries to the head, arms and calves, along with multiple scratches across his body.
Checks revealed that seven of the suspects had records for drug-related and criminal offences, while six tested positive for ketamine.
The case is being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting with weapons, which carries a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine or both.
Investigators are also probing the case under Section 326 of the Penal Code for causing grievous hurt with dangerous weapons, an offence punishable by up to 20 years’ jail and possible fine or whipping.
The six suspects who tested positive for drugs are additionally being investigated under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment of up to two years or both.
“All the local male suspects have been remanded for seven days until Jan 3, while the Vietnamese woman has been remanded for three days until Dec 30 to assist in investigations,” ACP Raub said.
Police are still tracking down other suspects.
The public has been urged not to speculate in ways that could disrupt investigations.
“The police will take firm action against any form of violence and disturbance to public order,” ACP Raub said, adding that anyone with information on the incident can contact the nearest police station or the Johor Baru Selatan district police headquarters.
