An image showing the man shaking the gate of a house in the residential area.
KUCHING (July 19): Residents of Tabuan Desa are calling for urgent action from authorities after enduring years of disturbances and threats allegedly caused by a man believed to be the son of a prominent local figure.
Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak secretary George Lam claimed that he was informed during a site visit that the man, who allegedly has a history of drug abuse and mental health issues, lives alone in a terraced house in the neighbourhood.
“Residents have told me that they have pleaded many times with this Dato to commit the man to psychiatric care. Sadly, instead of taking responsibility, neighbours were asked to ‘assist’ by sending him food or looking after him — a completely unreasonable demand that has caused tremendous stress and fear in the community,” he said in a statement following a site visit today.
The situation escalated yesterday, when the man allegedly broke into a neighbour’s renovated home, damaged property, attempted assault, shook another neighbour’s gate, threw stones, and was eventually seen wandering naked in the neighbourhood before being apprehended by police.
According to him, the Bandar Kuching parliamentary service centre has been handling this case since October last year.
He said they had assisted affected residents in filing police reports and mediating the issue on multiple occasions but the man’s mental condition is highly unpredictable, having allegedly committed numerous offences, threatening neighbours repeatedly, and continues to return to the neighbourhood after brief police involvement.
Residents claimed that the man would frequently shout and bang on walls at night, disrupting public peace and was only issued warnings despite repeated police reports.
In January this year, the man allegedly threw stones and damaged four cars in the neighbourhood, and although was charged in court, the case was withdrawn after a private settlement, claimed Lam.
In April this year, it was alleged that the man set fire to a mattress in his bedroom, prompting firefighters to rush in to contain the blaze.
He was then reportedly sent to Sentosa Hospital for one month of psychiatric treatment and later returned to the neighbourhood.
Last month, it was alleged that he was convicted for drug abuse, fined RM3,300 or 11 months in jail, and placed under a three-year good behaviour bond, requiring weekly check-ins at the police station.
“Since he did not serve jail time, it is presumed the fine was paid on his behalf. Yesterday, the situation escalated dramatically.
“Residents of Tabuan Desa have lived under constant stress and danger for years. Enough is enough. They now demand firm and immediate action from the authorities,” Lam further claimed.
He added that regardless of who the man’s father is, the law must be enforced given that the safety of the community is above all.
“The residents — particularly those living next to him — are fully prepared to cooperate with police by providing statements and evidence.”