SIBU: Police here arrested nine men on suspicion of being involved in an armed fight between two gangs recently.
According to a spokesman from Sibu police headquarters o Sunday (Feb 6), the fight was believed to be sparked by a misunderstanding between two individuals from the groups.
“It is understood that it was due to a misunderstanding that occurred between the complainant and a suspect in the group in front of an entertainment centre in Jalan Tong Sang at 11.30pm last Tuesday (Feb 1).
“The incident was followed with a fight that broke out at a coffee shop in Jalan Ramin at 2.30am the next day (Wednesday) due to dissatisfaction in the misunderstanding, which led to them calling up members of their respective groups.
“The fight did not stop there as it continued until a riot broke out at the house of one of the gang members in Sibu Jaya on Wednesday,” the spokesman said.
In the counter attack at the house of one of the gang members (complainant) involved, a group of men armed with sticks and machetes appeared at 4.30pm when the complainant and his wife were in their house and damaged the complainant’s car before rushing into the house by breaking down the door.
The suspects also broke the television screen and other household items in the house.
Following that, the 27-year-old complainant and his 25-year-old wife also suffered injuries to their limbs after they were beaten by the gang members.
“Members from both gangs have come forward to lodge a police report separately on the incidents.
“Acting on information, a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team managed to arrest nine suspects, aged between 19 and 31, including the complainant on Saturday and confiscated the weapons used,” the spokesman added.
Meanwhile, acting Sibu police chief Supt Dr Collin Babat when contacted, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the nine suspects.
He added that the suspects are being remanded for five days until Feb 10 to facilitate investigations into the case.
“We believe there are still members from both gangs involved still at large. The police are still actively tracking them down,” he said, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting.
