KOTA SAMARAHAN: Police have arrested four men to assist in an investigation following a violent altercation at a grocery shop at one of the villages in Sadong Jaya Division, while two others are still at large.
The incident occurred at 6:00 am yesterday (Wednesday) after a group of suspect were dissatisfied with the services provided by the shop’s staff, whereby the group returned to the premises and acted violently.
Kota Samarahan District police chief, Superintendent Damataries Lautin, said during the incident, several men were seen smashing flower pots and car windows and threw firecrackers into the shop.
“The three suspects detained are aged between 34 and 36, and based on interrogations and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, the identities of the other two suspects have been identified, and efforts to track them down are underway,” he said in a statement today.
He also said the fight had resulted in a 59-year-old male victim sustaining injuries and he is currently being treated at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
Damataries added that three suspects were detained at the Kota Samarahan police station, while one suspect who was seriously injured is currently receiving treatment in the red zone ward of SGH.
“Remand applications for all suspects were made today to assist with further investigations, and the case is being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for causing riot with weapons, of which carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine, or both upon conviction,” he said.
Earlier, Damataries stated that preliminary investigations revealed the fight stemmed from dissatisfaction with the service provided by the shop staff.
The suspect who is currently receiving treatment at the red zone ward of SGH was said to have demanded an apology from the shop staff but, when his request was not met, they acted violently before a fight occurred outside the shop.
“Among the weapons being used during the scuffle were an iron rod, a hockey stick, a rattan cane and a meat cleaver,” he said, adding that a Toyota Vios vehicle was also seized.
