By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 19: A middle-aged man believed to be suffering from mental illness has caused serious distress and fear among the Tabuan Desa community after acting aggressively towards renovation workers, assaulting them and damaging equipment during a violent outburst.
Sarawak United People’s Party Public Complaints Bureau (SUPP PCB) chief Milton Foo revealed that the incident was the latest in a string of disturbances involving the same individual, who has repeatedly vandalised property and disrupted the peace of the neighbourhood.
Foo said he received multiple complaints from Tabuan Desa residents early Friday (July 18) morning, reporting a series of abnormal and threatening behaviours by the man that have greatly unsettled the community.
In total, seven police reports were lodged, with five by residents and two by renovation workers and a contractor involved in home improvement works.
According to Foo, the man, estimated to be between 40 and 50 years old, left his home in the morning and confronted workers carrying out renovations nearby. He allegedly attacked a worker with a spanner before using a hammer to smash the mirrors of an excavator at the site.
“The worker managed to scare the man away, but as he was leaving, the man repeatedly punched the zinc sheet wall surrounding the property. He then approached the worker’s vehicle, grabbed his personal belongings, and threw them into the middle of the street,” he said, adding that the victims later lodged a police report at the Tabuan Jaya Police Station.
In a pre-recorded press conference yesterday, Foo said eyewitnesses reported seeing the man loitering around the neighbourhood, often talking to himself and, at one point, walking around completely naked.
“His erratic behaviour has severely disrupted the daily lives of residents and poses a real threat to both personal safety and property,” Foo said.
He noted that similar incidents involving the same individual had occurred in the past, but this latest episode was the most serious.
“I immediately contacted Tabuan Jaya Police Station chief after receiving the latest complaints and police reports who responded swiftly by dispatching four officers to the scene. The suspect was arrested by midday and taken to the police station for further investigation, including a urine test,” he added.
Foo expressed his appreciation for the quick police action, stressing that without their prompt intervention, the man could have continued his rampage.
CCTV footage from the scene showed the man also damaging the iron gate and solar lights of a house under renovation, as well as violently striking its fence. His behaviours left local residents deeply fearful for their safety.
Foo urged the police to charge the suspect in court and allow the judiciary to determine the appropriate course of action.
“Mental illness cannot be used as an excuse to evade accountability, especially when his actions have caused significant property damage and endangered the lives of others,” he said.
Foo emphasised the importance of pursuing the case through the legal system, where a judge could decide whether the man should undergo psychiatric evaluation or face other legal consequences.
“Ensuring the safety of residents and protecting their property must be the top priority. This case must be addressed thoroughly to prevent further incidents and to restore peace in the community,” Foo concluded. — DayakDaily
