Jealousy is believed to have sparked a violent clash involving five men armed with machetes outside an apartment in Taman Cendana, Johor, shortly after midnight on Sunday.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 12.18am, left a local man seriously injured. He was rushed to Pasir Gudang Hospital for further treatment and is now reported to be in stable condition.
Seri Alam district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said the confrontation had also gone viral on social media through an 18-second video showing five men fighting with machetes.
Following a tip-off, a team from the Seri Alam district police headquarters’ Criminal Investigation Division arrested a local man in his 30s at approximately 4.34am on November 1.
Police also seized a machete believed to have been used during the incident to assist with investigations.
Background checks revealed that the suspect had eight previous criminal and drug-related records.
A preliminary urine screening test also returned positive for methamphetamine, Mohd Sohaimi said in a statement on Monday.
The case is being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt using a weapon or dangerous object.
If convicted, the offence carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years, along with a fine or whipping, or any two of these punishments.
The suspect is also being investigated under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and has been remanded for seven days until November 7.
Police are continuing efforts to track down other individuals believed to have been involved in the clash.
Anyone with information is urged to contact their nearest police station or the Seri Alam District Control Centre at 07-3864222.
