A dispute over the cleanliness of a rented house toilet allegedly escalated into violence when a Bangladeshi man attacked his housemate with a machete at a restaurant in Taman Cheras Baru, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
The two men, who had been living and working together for about five years, were reportedly involved in repeated arguments after the victim frequently reprimanded the suspect over the condition of the toilet following its use.
Cheras district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Rosdi Daud said police managed to track down and arrest the suspect less than 24 hours after the incident was reported.
He said the 36-year-old victim, who works as a store assistant, sustained injuries in the attack and was receiving treatment at the Yellow Zone of Ampang Hospital in stable condition.
“Acting on information received, a team from the Cheras District Police Headquarters Criminal Investigation Division arrested the suspect at about midnight in front of a polyclinic in Jalan 16, Kampung Cheras Baru,” he said in a statement today.
The suspect, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi national, was identified as the victim’s co-worker and housemate.
Police also seized a knife believed to have been used during the incident, which will be examined as part of the investigation.
Mohd Rosdi said preliminary investigations found that the incident was believed to have stemmed from dissatisfaction and the suspect’s alleged failure to control his anger following a series of disagreements between the two men.
The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt using a weapon or instrument capable of causing death.
Police will apply for a remand order against the suspect before a magistrate today to assist with further investigations.
