Deputy police chief Superintendent Rupeah Abd Wahid said the fight, which happened on Sunday at around 1am, between the victim and a 40-year old man started when the victim began to pop the balloons placed at the showroom. (NST file pix)
Deputy police chief Superintendent Rupeah Abd Wahid said the fight, which happened on Sunday at around 1am, between the victim and a 40-year old man started when the victim began to pop the balloons placed at the showroom. (NST file pix)

JOHOR BARU: A 46-year-old marketing executive was killed after he was involved in a fight that escalated from an argument over a few popped balloons.

The victim was having a late night drinks with a group of friends before leaving a pub located in Stulang, when they passed by a travel agency showroom which had been decorated for a function.

Johor Baru South deputy police chief Superintendent Rupeah Abd Wahid said the fight, which happened on Sunday at around 1am, between the victim and a 40-year-old man started when the victim began to pop the balloons placed at the showroom.

"The suspect, who works at the showroom, was aggravated knowing that somebody was popping the balloons and he confronted the victim which escalated from verbal argument to an actual fight," she said.

Rupeah said the suspect had repeatedly punched at the victim's face.

"The victim, who was sent to the Sultanah Aminah hospital for his injury, however, succumbed to his injuries at 5pm the same day," she said.

Rupeah said the suspect had been detained pending police investigation on the case which has been classified under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.