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A group of 12 Malaysian men and a Vietnamese woman were arrested for attacking victims with meat cleavers and metal chairs at a mamak restaurant in Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru
In a statement, Johor Bahru Selatan police chief ACP Raub Selamat said the incident occurred at 3.50am last Saturday, 27 December.
"Investigations revealed that a group of men assaulted the victims and their friends using metal chairs and meat cleavers. The motive was a misunderstanding over a personal debt," he said.
Acting on information, police arrested the suspects, aged between 20 and 40, at several locations around Johor Bahru, seizing seven mobile phones, a knife, and clothing worn during the attack.
A background check revealed that seven suspects had prior records of criminal and drug-related offences, and six tested positive for ketamine.
The case is currently being investigated under Sections 148 and 326 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, for rioting with weapons, voluntarily causing grievous hurt with weapons, and consuming dangerous drugs, respectively.
The male suspects have been remanded for seven days, while the Vietnamese woman has been remanded for three days.
Raub added that police are still tracking several other suspects.
Over the weekend, two videos showing the attack went viral online
The footage captures the men swinging metal chairs at the victims in a chaotic scene.
In one clip, a suspect raises a meat cleaver and strikes at a male victim, tearing his shirt. The cleaver was swung with such force that it fell to the ground.
Onlookers can be heard shouting "Stop!", "Enough!", and "He's attacking his head!" in the video.
Police confirmed that two victims sustained injuries to their heads, arms, and legs.
Footage of the incident can be found below. Viewer discretion is advised:
