Penang police have arrested a woman and her husband over an alleged extortion plot that ended with a 57-year-old man chased and attacked with a parang in George Town.
The man told police he was set upon at about 1.15am on Wednesday, shortly after he picked up the 39-year-old woman at the Taman Manggis People’s Housing Project (PPR), according to The Star. He had befriended her on WhatsApp shortly before.
Two men chased him and struck him with the weapon, and he told officers he was attacked and beaten by the pair. They then followed his car until he lost control and crashed into a wall at the Jalan Pangkor junction.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Rozak Muhammad said early checks pointed to a planned extortion attempt. “Investigations revealed that the incident is believed to have stemmed from an extortion plot hatched by the woman, her husband, and a relative,” he said in a statement.
Officers arrested the woman and her 30-year-old husband on Wednesday, after the man lodged a report at 1.15am. Both have been remanded for three days, until 7 November, to allow inquiries to continue. The police statement was issued on Thursday.
A third suspect, aged 26, is still at large. Police are searching for him, Pocket News reported. Officers believe the man on the run is related to the couple.
The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon, and Section 427 for mischief causing damage to property.
Section 324 carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, a fine, whipping, or any two of those penalties. Section 427, which applies where the loss or damage reaches at least RM25, provides for between one and five years in prison, a fine, or both.
A People’s Housing Project is a government-built scheme for lower-income households. The man was driving when the two suspects gave chase, and his vehicle came to a stop against the wall.
The remand order runs out on 7 November. Police have said the hunt for the third man is still under way.
