EIGHT robbers armed with parangs broke into a fish farm in Segamat, Johor, beat up the Singaporean foreman working there, and made away with RM100,000 ($41,000) worth of arowana fish.One of the two dead arowana fish at the farm. PICTURE: CHINA PRESS
The robbers also ransacked the victim's living quarters in the farm and took away his Singapore passport, identity card, driver's licence and Malaysian work permit, as well as two handphones and RM1,100 in cash.
The robbery happened early Saturday morning at about 1am, reported China Press.
The Singaporean, identified only as Mr Ho, 52, said he had just returned to the fish farm after a night out, when he was ambushed by the eight men who were already inside the farm.
One of them used a metal rod to hit him on the head, while the others tied up his arms and legs.
They then carried the bleeding Mr Ho into an office and left him there, while they ransacked the farm.
The robbers took away about 200 arowanas.
In their haste and rough handling, two fish were killed, which they left behind.
Mr Ho said that it was only about three hours after he was attacked, at about 4am, when he heard the sound of a lorry engine, which he believed was an accomplice who had come to pick up the robbers.
After they escaped, he managed to free himself and call the police.
He said the robbers also took away his delivery truck keys, so he couldn't give chase after he got himself free.
Mr Ho then went to the hospital, where he received five stitches to the top of his head.
The robbers left behind four parangs at the scene.
Mr Ho said that it was the only robbery since the fish farm was opened seven years ago.
He said there are parts of the fence at the back of the fish farm that have holes, and believes the robbers must have entered through there, before lying in wait to ambush him.
He added that some of the stolen arowanas have 10-digit serial numbers on them, and hopes that local fish dealers would look carefully at any new fish brought in for sale, and call the police if they spot the stolen fish.
