Kota Kinabalu: Police have arrested two of four suspects involved in the attack of their employer at a fish processing plant in Sepanggar on Thursday.
The incident which went viral on Sunday was said to be over an accumulated RM10,000 in unpaid salaries of one of the attackers.
City Police Chief ACP Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said the four suspects had blocked the warehouse entrance with a Perodua Bezza, prompting the business owner to smash the front passenger window with a fire extinguisher.
“The four men retaliated with punches. One of them was armed with a chain lock and brandished a machete but was eventually calmed down by the group’s leader.
“The brawl resulted in the employer sustaining minor injuries while another employee received five stitches to the back of his head and was treated at the Menggatal Health Clinic,” Zaidi said in a statement.
The case is being investigated under Section 148 and 324 of the Penal Code for rioting and causing hurt with a weapon.
Zaidi said the two arrests include the group’s leader, 47, and his accomplice, 53, who was seen swinging the chain lock. The car was also impounded to aid investigations.
“We are actively tracking down the two remaining suspects and urge the public with information to contact Investigating Officer Insp. Vermal Subramaniam at 010-2314432.
“The brawl had nothing to do with gangs or secret societies but only dissatisfaction towards the employer for the wages owed,” he said.
He advised the public to use legal channels when caught in financial situations such as these and to never go above the law.
“Taking the law into your own hands will only worsen the situation and increases the risk of a potential crime,” said Zaidi.
