Axe-husband: KK man almost loses toe during dinner-date after girlfriend’s jealous ex-hubby attacks him

KOTA KINABALU: A man was happily having dinner with his girlfriend in his car when the woman’s ex-husband suddenly pounced on him with an axe in Likas here.

The 37-year-old victim almost lost a toe besides injuries to his face and hands in the 9pm incident on Wednesday (Aug 9).

Police believe the incident was motivated by jealousy.

Prior to the attack, the man had parked his car at an open space near Menara Kinabalu, which is the state administrative complex, before proceeding to have his meal with the girlfriend, 30.

Kota Kinabalu Police Chief Asst Comm Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said three men suddenly approached the car and that one of them, believed to be the woman’s ex-husband, swung an axe at the victim repeatedly.

“The man suffered multiple injuries to his face, hands and foot following the attack,” he said, when contacted on Friday (Aug 11).

A video of the attack was also widely shared on social media.

ACP Mohd Zaidi said the couple somehow managed to escape, with the man driving quickly to the nearby Alam Mesra police station.

The victim, he said, was then sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) for treatment while the girlfriend did not sustain any injuries.

“We believe the motive of the attack was jealousy. The case is being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt using a dangerous weapon,” he said.

As such, he said, police were looking for three people to facilitate investigations into the case.

ACP Mohd Zaidi said these were Winhal Jalali, 37, and Abdel Jalali, 27, while another man has yet to be identified.

“Those with information pertaining to the individuals or the incident are advised to come forward and report the matter at the nearest police station or contact the investigating officer Insp Muhammad Khaidir Zakaria at 014-801 9618,” he said.

It is learned that the woman had married the suspect in 2015 before they divorced about a month ago.

The woman had befriended the victim some six months ago before going into a romantic relationship with the latter two weeks ago.