Johor Bahru Selatan police chief Raub Selamat said the 43-year-old victim sustained head injuries, believed to have been inflicted with a sharp weapon by the suspect, a 45-year-old ironworker.

“Further investigations revealed that the incident was suspected to have been caused by a verbal altercation between the two men, who were intoxicated 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,” he said in a statement last night.

He said the suspect had a record of eight cases related to criminal offences and drug abuse, while the victim had a record of four.

“The suspect tested positive for methamphetamine,” he said, adding that the man would be brought to the Johor Bahru magistrates’ court for a remand application.