Banana farm watchman slashed by trespasser with machete

A watchman for a banana farm in Felda Tenang, Hulu Besut near here sustained head injury after he put up a fight with a trespasser in his bid to prevent the crop from being stolen, on Monday. Besut police chief Superintendent Mohd Zamri Mohd Rowi said in the 5.30pm incident, the 42-year-old watchman went to the farm, owned by his employer, before bumping into the 31-year-old suspect who was cutting down trees to get ripe bananas.

"The victim had scolded the suspect, from Felcra Keruak in Hulu Besut, whom he knew personally for what he did. However, the suspect had suddenly got angry and slashed the victim in the head with a machete before he fled the scene," he told a press conference here Thursday.

Following the incident, the victim was sent to Besut District Hospital and received outpatient treatment, he said.

However, Mohd Zamri said the incident did not stop there.

The watchman had once again bumped into the suspect the next day and caught doing the same activity which led to a fight, he said. As a result, Mohd Zamri said the trespasser sustained injuries on his legs and ears, as well as a swollen face.

He also said the farm owner who was checking the perimeter discovered the trespasser lying near a river with wounds and blood at 3.35pm.

"We believe the two incidents on Monday and Tuesday are connected and the victim who was slashed in the head might have put up a revenge on the suspect by going to the farm again on Tuesday afternoon," he said.

Following the incidents, Mohd Zamri said police have called the victim and farm owner to facilitate the investigations while the suspect was sent to the hospital for treatment.

The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt using dangerous weapons or means.