KANOWIT: Police opened fire on a local man, wanted in connection with a drug-related case, after he injured a policeman with a karambit (small curved knife) on Sunday (Sept 15).
The incident happened around 3.20 pm when a police team found the 35-year-old suspect at a jetty along Sungai Kanowit.
Kanowit police chief DSP Dennis Bunyam said the suspect refused to cooperate with the police and attacked one of them.
“The policeman sustained serious injuries to his left arm and stomach in the attack.
“He was rushed to Kanowit Hospital and later referred to Sibu Hospital for further treatment,” he said, adding that the policeman is in stable condition.
Acting on the first incident, another police team led by Dennis himself, tracked down the suspect around 5 pm. They found him attempting to escape on a boat towards the middle of Batang Rajang.
Realising the presence of the police, the suspect stood on the boat’s roof armed with a machete and a karambit.
“We had warned the suspect to lay down the weapons and surrender. However, he acted aggressively and charged at us while swinging the machete.
“For safety reasons and in self-defence, we had to open fire at the suspect, hitting the suspect in the right thigh.
“He was then taken to Kanowit Hospital before being referred to Sibu Hospital for further treatment,” he said.
The suspect, who tested positive for drugs, was taken into custody. Police also seized the weapons.
Background checks revealed that the suspect had prior records related to drugs.
Dennis said the suspect will be remanded until Sept 23 to facilitate investigations under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.
