GEORGE TOWN: An attack on Penang Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo on Friday was not politically-motivated or revenge-driven.
State police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the incident at the parking lot in front of a restaurant in Tanjung Bungah was believed to be due to a misunderstanding.
"It is neither politically-motivated nor revenge-driven. It is believed to be due to a misunderstanding. Both the victim and suspect do not know each other.
"The suspect is a 60-year-old foreign national. He was detained hours after the incident and released on remand," he said at the state police contingent headquarters here today.
The case is being probed under Section 325 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
Mohd Shuhaily said the investigation paper (IP) into the case had been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor for further action.
"We are also probing if the suspect was intoxicated. At the time of the incident, both victim and suspect were with their families," he added.
The DAP lawmaker was allegedly attacked by an unknown man at a shop in Tanjung Bungah at 8.30pm on Friday.
It was learnt that Jagdeep, 51, was approached by a man, believed to be a foreigner.
The man then pushed Jagdeep, causing him to fall.
The assemblyman injured his ankle in the fall and is now being treated at a private hospital here.
On a different case, Mohd Shuhaily said police were tracking down four people, suspected to be members of the organised crime "Chandra Gang".
The four are K. Harivin Raj, 25, and B. Jagandran, 47, as well as two foreign nationals Juanda dan Afrizal.
"Police detained 14 syndicate members under Op Cantas Tanjung 3 last month and they were prosecuted earlier today under the Security Offences and Special Measures Act.
"The gang includes the other four suspects, whom police are still tracking.
"They are believed to be involved in drug smuggling and possession of firearms, and have been active since 2021."