JOHOR, MALAYSIA: A Singaporean man was injured after attempting to fend off two attackers who had been harassing his family during the Chinese New Year festivities in Kluang, Johor.
The incident, which occurred on 31 January, saw the man sustaining injuries to his head, ankle, chest, and arms.
Fang Xiaofen (transliterated), a 42-year-old hairstylist, told Malaysian Chinese-language newspaper China Press that the harassment had been ongoing for three days.
The attackers set off firecrackers, splashed paint outside the family’s home, and smashed the windows of two cars.
The family, feeling threatened, resorted to fighting back with sticks to defend themselves.
Fang confirmed that the family had no outstanding debts with loan sharks, as the attackers left no debt collection notices behind.
Fang’s mother revealed that the family had been harassed during Chinese New Year in both 2023 and 2024, and despite making several police reports, they had received no response from authorities.
“If our family has a feud with anyone, we hope the perpetrator can give an explanation, and we are willing to resolve the problem,” Fang’s mother said.
“If they have found the wrong target, we hope they can stop harassing us.”
The situation escalated on 31 January when the family managed to subdue one of the attackers and discovered that he had been paid RM200 (S$60) to carry out the harassment.
Following the altercation, Johor police arrested a 37-year-old man at 6.10am on 31 January.
The man, with a history of criminal and drug-related offences, was tested positive for methamphetamine, according to reports from Sinar Harian.
Police are now on the lookout for two other suspects believed to be involved in the attack.
Assistant Commissioner Bahrin Mohd Noh, the Kluang district police chief, confirmed that the suspect would be remanded until 3 February to assist with ongoing investigations.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to track down the remaining two accomplices.
