KLUANG: A Bangladeshi man was beaten to death following a fight over a cucumber plant on Thursday.
Kluang police chief Assistant Commissioner Bahrin Md Nor said the victim Md Rubel Howlader, 31, who worked as a factory operator, was pronounced dead at 1.56pm yesterday after receiving treatment at the Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital here for two days following the fight at a workers' hostel in Jalan Mengkibol.
He said police subsequently seized a 0.6 metre machete and two 0.9 metre metal pipes believed to have been used in the fight.
The case was initially investigated under Section 148/326 of the Penal Code and not under Section 302 of the same Code for murder.
"The incident occurred when a cucumber plant planted by the victim was damaged by the suspect, a Myanmar national. The suspect and a group of Bangladeshis then confronted the suspect and a fight broke out.
"The victim, who suffered an injury to the head, lost consciousness later that day and was taken to the hospital in a critical condition," said Bahrin.
He said police arrested five male Myanmar nationals aged between 21 and 41 and five Bangladeshis aged between 30 and 40 who are believed to have been involved in the fight.
The suspects have been remanded for seven days until Feb 2.