Man remanded for allegedly slashing uncle

MUKAH: A 34-year-old fisherman has been remanded for four days for allegedly slashing his 51-year-old uncle with a parang at the Kampung Litong boat jetty here.

The suspect was arrested at about 11am on Oct 15, following the incident in which the victim sustained an injury to his right ear.

Mukah police chief DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias said police received a report on the incident on October 15.

“Preliminary investigations found that the victim had gone fishing early that morning and returned home covered in blood after allegedly being attacked by a man along the riverbank at Kampung Litong.

“The victim was initially taken to Mukah Hospital for treatment before being referred to Bintulu Hospital for further medical attention,” he said in a statement.

Muhamad Rizal added that police subsequently arrested the suspect, a local man who also works as a fisherman, and seized a black-handled parang measuring about 41cm believed to have been used in the attack.

“Preliminary investigations found that the suspect admitted to slashing the victim with the weapon.

“The incident is believed to have stemmed from a dispute after the victim accused the suspect of being involved in drug abuse.

“However, an initial urine screening test conducted on the suspect returned negative for drugs,” he added.

The suspect was brought before the Mukah Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Oct 15), which approved a four-day remand order until October 20 to assist in investigations.

The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt using a weapon or dangerous means. If convicted, the suspect faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine, caning, or any two of these punishments.

Police will record statements from the victim and the medical personnel who treated him, as well as obtain the medical report, before referring the investigation papers to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.

Muhamad Rizal also advised the public against speculating about the incident and urged them to allow police to conduct their investigations.