Timur Laut police chief Abdul Rozak Muhammad said the 52-year-old Malaysian has been remanded from today until Oct 24.

“The suspect, who has 13 prior criminal records, including 10 related to narcotics offences, is currently under remand as police carry out further investigations into the case,” he said in a statement today.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 394 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery.

Yesterday, media reported that in the 6.45am incident, the 74-year-old former vice-chancellor was returning home from the mosque after performing dawn prayers when he noticed a man, believed to be local, hiding in the yard of his house.

Penang police chief Azizee Ismail said as the victim approached, the suspect suddenly brandished a black object and attacked him.

The incident left the victim with head injuries that required 16 stitches. Police later arrested the suspect in Bayan Baru at about 2.30pm the same day.