MARAN: Four men are in police custody after a violent clash turned deadly in Felda Jengka 2, Pahang — where a 57-year-old man, accused of stabbing two neighbors during a frenzied rampage, was beaten to death by villagers trying to stop him.
Chaos Erupts Over Stabbing Spree
The tragedy unfolded yesterday when the older man, reportedly in a “berserk” state, allegedly stabbed a 52-year-old woman in the stomach and slashed her right hand and chin. Her 16-year-old nephew suffered a thigh wound while trying to intervene.
The woman remains hospitalized in Jengka, while her nephew was discharged after treatment. But the attacker didn’t survive — villagers overpowered him, leading to fatal injuries.
Police: “We’re Investigating All Angles”
Maran police chief Superintendent Wong Kim Wai confirmed four suspects aged 18 to 49 are held under remand. “The forensic team recovered the knife used,” he said, adding that an autopsy at Kuantan’s Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital will determine the exact cause of death.
Authorities are probing whether the villagers’ retaliation crossed into vigilante justice. “Once we get the autopsy results, we’ll proceed with charges,” Wong stated, urging calm in the tight-knit community.
A Village Left Shaken
Locals described panic as the man, known to neighbors, suddenly turned violent. “No one expected this… he just snapped,” said a shaken resident, declining to be named. The case has sparked debate over mental health and mob reactions in rural areas.
Police are also investigating how the altercation escalated so quickly. With tensions still raw, many fear lasting scars in a village where everyone knows everyone.
What’s Next?
The four detained men could face charges ranging from murder to manslaughter, depending on autopsy findings. Meanwhile, families of the stabbed victims pray for recovery — and answers.
