Terengganu police chief Aidi Ismail said police arrested the suspect at 4.15pm at Felda Selasih, Besut, as he attempted to escape.

“During the incident, the victim was approached by a 32-year-old suspect, who was Zamri’s neighbour, who wanted to complain that the victim had planted a coconut tree on his land.

“The victim ignored him and asked the suspect to go home. Instead, the suspect went to his car and brought out a parang before slashing the victim,” he told reporters when met at the intensive care unit of the Kubang Kerian Hospital here.

Aidil said the victim, 55, had earlier tried to avoid the suspect, who swung the parang at his head, causing Zamri to fall, and a scuffle between the two ensued.

“The suspect then started swinging his parang which hit and severed the victim’s right thumb. The victim was reported stable and is still being treated at HUSM,” he added.

Terengganu police conducted an investigation and found that the suspect had met Zamri prior to this, claiming that his house was raided by the police.

“But the claim was found to be untrue. The case is being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code,” Aidi added.