GEORGE TOWN, JUNE 23 — Police have arrested six local men on suspicion of being involved in seriously injuring two men with a sharp weapon at a temple in Jelutong, early Sunday morning.
Penang Police Chief Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng said the incident at 4.30am was believed to have stemmed from a disagreement at an entertainment centre when one of the victims, 31, was accused of stealing a suspect’s mobile phone, but the allegation was untrue.
“The suspect is believed to have followed the victim to a temple in Jelutong before attacking him and a 64-year-old man, it is understood, was also attacked as a caretaker there while trying to break up the fight,” he said at a press conference at the Penang Police Contingent (IPK) Headquarters here today.
Lim said that as a result of the attack, the first victim had his index finger broken while the second victim had his little finger broken, in addition to both being injured by slashing. However, they were reported to be stable and still being treated at the Penang Hospital.
Following this, he said six suspects aged 26 to 38 were arrested on the same day around the Timur Laut district and the police seized several items of evidence including a machete, six mobile phones, two motorcycles and a set of keys, a remote control (one) and a car.
Lim said all the suspects were remanded until June 28 to assist in investigations under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which is causing grievous hurt using a dangerous weapon, as well as Section 120B of the same code for criminal conspiracy, in addition to some of them having criminal and narcotics records.
In another development, Lim said Penang police arrested 12 local men on suspicion of being involved in football betting and online gambling activities through Ops Soga XI in conjunction with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He said the integrated operation was carried out throughout the state from June 11 to July 19 to combat unlicensed sports betting and online gambling activities which were expected to increase during the tournament.
“Police also seized RM8,692 in cash which is believed to be related to gambling activities,” he said.
Lim said all suspects, aged 27 to 72, were taken to the relevant district police headquarters for documentation and investigation, before being granted police bail while investigation papers were completed.
Through the same operation, the police also detected 12 websites, platforms, applications and social media accounts related to football betting activities and gambling promotions, with actions to block and take down related content to be implemented in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
He said the investigation was being conducted under Section 6(1) and Section 6(3) of the Betting Act 1953 and Section 4(1)(c) of the Open Gambling Houses Act 1953, in addition to being investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
— BERNAMA
