Man, 45, arrested for allegedly slashing another man, 43, with cleaver near JB City Square

A 45-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly slashed another man with a meat cleaver near City Square in Johor Bahru (JB) on the afternoon of Feb. 11.

JB police said in a Feb. 11 Facebook statement that at 2:29pm, a member of the public reported a brawl that broke out at Merlin Tower along Jalan Meldrum.

The two men, both locals, were drunk at the time.

They reportedly had a verbal dispute which turned violent.

The victim, a 43-year-old unemployed man, sustained severe head injuries, allegedly caused by a sharp weapon wielded by the suspect who works as a blacksmith.

Suspect arrested at the scene

Images of the scene shared to Facebook showed fresh bloodstains on a pedestrian walkway and on an overturned chair.

A cleaver was lying on the ground.

A crowd had gathered as police subdued the alleged attacker.

According to Google Maps, Merlin Tower is a four-minute walk from JB City Square, a popular mall among Singaporeans.

Suspect tested positive for meth: Police

JB Selatan police chief Raub Selamat told Malaysian media in a Feb. 12 statement that the suspect had eight prior records for criminal offences and drug abuse.

The victim also had four prior records for criminal offences and drug abuse. Neither were wanted men at the time.

"The victim was taken to Sultanah Aminah Hospital here with serious injuries, while the suspect was arrested at the scene. A meat cleaver was also seized," said Raub.

Raub added that the suspect tested positive for methamphetamine during a urine test.

The suspect is currently remanded by the police and is set to appear in court on Feb. 12.

Top image from China Press & Joekim Mako/Facebook