Stabbed while waiting for free food

A former soldier was injured when stabbed with a knife in front of a budget hotel at Love Lane on Saturday.

Timur Laut district police chief, ACP Mior Faridalatrash Wahid said the incident happened about 10.45am while the victim was waiting to get free food provided by a charity organisation for the homeless in the area.

He said the victim did not have a permanent job and often take free food provided for the homeless there.

According to witnesses, there was a scuffle between the victim and his attacker before he was stabbed, Mior Faridalatrash said when contacted.

Following the incident, he said, a 34-year-old man, believed to be mentally unstable, was detained.

Police seized two knives from the suspect, he added.

The victim was sent to Penang Hospital for treatment and reported to be in stable condition.