Worker injured in machete attack by housemate
A 29-year-old plantation worker suffered serious injuries after his housemate attacked him with a machete at their quarters in Cenderawasih on Tuesday.
District police chief ACP Nasri Mansor, in a statement yesterday, said the victim lodged a police report on the same day, claiming that he was attacked by his 25-year-old housemate.
Nasri said the victim told police on the day of the incident that he was sleeping when he heard someone knocking on his door at about 3am.
He said when the victim opened the door, the suspect attacked him and pushed him, causing him to fall on the floor.
However, in the ensuing struggle, the victim managed to grab the machete from the assailant.
However, he said the victim suffered injuries on his cheek, shoulder and his head.
“The suspect later left the victim's room but returned with another machete which he took from the kitchen. The suspect later chased the victim who ran towards his supervisor's house about 500 metres away,” he said, adding that the suspect failed to attack the victim as he arrived at the supervisor's house.
The victim was later brought to a clinic for treatment and as he was unconscious he was taken to Lahad Datu Hospital for further treatment.
Nasri said an investigation revealed that prior to the incident, the victim had talked to the suspect to prepare the dishes but he refused.
He said the victim believed that the suspect had grudge against him.
Nasri added that the victim told the police that on July 29 he noticed the suspect was sad, and asked him if he had any problem but the suspect remained silent.
The victim offered to take him for traditional treatment but the suspect refused, saying he was fine.
“Following the report, we have detained the suspect at their quarters at about 1.50pm. The suspect also suffered injuries on his ears and finger.
“We have also seized the machete believed used in the attack,” he said, adding that further investigations were still ongoing under Section 326 of the Penal Code.