JOHOR BARU: Police have summoned two witnesses to come forward in relation to an assault at the Immigration checkpoint here.

Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Sahurinain Jais said they could assist police investigations into the May 31 incident.

It is learnt that the two witnesses are Malaysian workers who were returning from work in Singapore on motorcycles when the attack took place.

The victim, Lai Kok Thom, 22, claimed that he was attacked by a man in his 40s outside the Johor Baru Immigration checkpoint after returning from work in Singapore at about 4.30pm.

Lai, from Ulu Tiram, works as a delivery man with a beverage com­pany in Sembawang.

At a press conference organised by Johor MCA Government Affairs Liaison Bureau chief Michael Tay here yesterday, Lai claimed that the man was unhappy that he had jumped queue on the motorcycle lane at the Woodlands Immigration checkpoint.

“He shouted at me and told me to wait for him at the Johor Causeway checkpoint to settle the matter,” he said.

Lai said the suspect then attacked him with a handsaw in front of several motorcyclists outside the layby at the Johor Causeway.

He suffered serious injuries to his right arm and was admitted to a hospital in Kempas. He received 24 stitches.

Lai has been on a two-month medical leave since June 1.

Tay said Lai had hired a lawyer to handle the case. However, they have problems locating the assailant who also works in Singapore.

“Lai has asked for my assistance to appeal to the suspect to come forward and settle his medical bills,” he said.