Malaysian police shoot dead foreigner after machete attack severs officer’s hand

A foreign national has been shot dead by police in Malaysia after allegedly attacking emergency responders with two machetes, severing the right hand of a police officer during an attempted intervention at a residential apartment in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur.

The suspect was killed on Wednesday night after launching another machete attack on officers attempting to arrest him near a playground in Desa Aman Puri, Selangor police chief, Shazeli Kahar, said.

The incident began at about 4pm when police received a report from a resident about a man behaving aggressively and appearing to be in an unstable condition.

A team comprising police officers, firefighters and Health Ministry personnel was subsequently deployed to the apartment to manage the situation.

However, when the responders attempted to enter the suspect's apartment, he allegedly charged at them with two machetes.

A 26-year-old police lance corporal attached to the Gombak district police headquarters' mobile patrol unit suffered a severed right hand, alongside injuries to his head and body. Some firefighters and health workers also sustained minor injuries.

The suspect reportedly fled after the initial attack but was tracked to a nearby playground between 7.30pm and 8pm.

According to Shazeli, the man again attacked officers with a machete when they approached him, forcing them to open fire.

Several shots were fired, leaving the suspect injured. He was taken towards Selayang Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, the injured officer was initially taken to Selayang Hospital before being transferred to Kuala Lumpur Hospital, where he underwent surgery to reattach his severed hand.
He was reported to be in stable condition.

Malaysia's Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, condemned the attack, expressing concern over the incident and wishing the injured officer a speedy recovery.

Anwar said violence against security personnel carrying out their duties to protect the public must not be tolerated.

He also called for decisive action against criminal activities, regardless of those responsible, stressing the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting enforcement officers.