By Aida Aziz
GERIK: A man was arrested after attacking and attempting to kill a police corporal with an axe in the oil palm plantation area of Felda Bersia on Tuesday.
The Gerik District Police Chief, Superintendent Zulkifli Mahmood, said the incident occurred when two police officers, a corporal and a lance corporal from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division of the Gerik district, were conducting a raid in that location.
He stated that they encountered a 31-year-old suspect riding a Honda EX5 motorcycle around noon.
“The suspect stopped his motorcycle and then got off, carrying an axe in his right hand and a machete in his left hand.
“After that, the suspect threw the machete on the ground and immediately ran towards the police corporal, attacking him with the axe.
“The corporal tried to arrest the suspect, but he acted aggressively by swinging the axe towards him, causing injuries to the corporal’s right shoulder and swelling on his head,” he said last night.
Zulkifli said the police officers then defended themselves by firing a shot at the suspect’s leg.
“When attempting to make an arrest, the suspect refused to cooperate and tried to escape, leading to a scuffle.
After successfully arresting the suspect, an examination of his body revealed a package containing dried plant material suspected to be marijuana and two small straws with a substance suspected to be methamphetamine in the front left pocket of his trousers,” he said.
Therefore, he said the police took the suspect to the Bersia Health Clinic, and he was later referred to the Gerik Hospital and ultimately to the Taiping Hospital for further treatment.
As for the police officers involved, they received treatment at the Bersia Health Clinic.
He further stated that the case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code, Section 39 of the Arms Act 1960, and Section 12(2)/6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1953.
