KUALA LUMPUR: A TOURIST from New Zealand suffered serious injuries after he was slashed by a taxi driver in a hotel room in Jalan Changkat, Bukit Bintang, here early yesterday.
The incident happened at 12.30am after the two were involved in a heated argument involving a woman, believed to be a prostitute.
It is learnt the 47-year old New Zealander, who is a bee keeper in his home country, had checked into the hotel room with the woman and the taxi driver on Wednesday afternoon. They were supposed to check out yesterday afternoon.
However, it is believed the duo, who have known each other since last year, got into an argument after midnight and it ran out of control.
Dang Wangi police chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Zainuddin Ahmad said investigations showed the victim was slashed several times on his face and neck.
“Fortunately, the victim managed to get out of the room and sought help before he was rushed to Kuala Lumpur Hospital,” he said.
He added that the victim was given immediate treatment at the Emergency Department’s red zone and was reported to be in stable condition.
He said police managed to identify the taxi driver easily as the victim regularly used his services.
He said police arrested the suspect in Jalan Cheras at 6pm yesterday and they had also seized his taxi.
The 41-year-old suspect is being investigated for causing grievous hurt under Section 326 of the Penal Code.
The offence carries a maximum 20 years jail and fine or rotan.