KUCHING – Residents of Tabuan Desa Lorong 4 were left shaken today after a man believed to be under mental distress ran amok, causing hours of fear and chaos in the otherwise peaceful neighbourhood.
The incident, which began at around 7.00 am and lasted into the afternoon, saw the man aggressively damaging property, confronting workers, and even walking naked in public, drawing concern from the community.
According to Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Complaint Bureau Chief, Milton Foo, the man is believed to be a resident of the area. He emerged from his house early in the morning and headed towards a renovation site at Lorong Keranji 4C.
Armed with a spanner and hammer, the man confronted a construction worker operating a machine, demanding that he stop work immediately. He smashed the machine’s side mirror and threw a wrench at the worker, barely missing him.
In an attempt to protect himself, the worker picked up a wooden plank. The suspect then stormed off and pulled apart the zinc wall of the house under renovation.
He later targeted a green Perodua Myvi parked nearby, removing a worker’s bag from the car and throwing it into the middle of the road. The situation escalated further as the man began vandalising neighbours’ homes—banging fences, dismantling a solar panel, and even walking around unclothed, alarming many families.
Concerned residents contacted Foo, who promptly notified the police. “People are scared. We hope the police will take firm action before someone gets seriously hurt,” said Foo.
At least seven police reports have been lodged by both residents and construction workers.
Police have since arrested the suspect and brought him to the Tabuan Jaya police station for further investigation. Authorities are looking into whether the suspect was under the influence of drugs or suffering from mental illness.
