Boy who bought karambit: Sale of knives not prohibited, but anyone using it without lawful purpose can be charged, says police

[Update, Sept 22]: The police responded to AsiaOne saying that they do not prohibit nor regulate the sale of knives like folding knives, hunting knives and utility knives, including karambits.

However, anyone found in possession of these knives in a public place without a lawful purpose may be liable for the offence of possessing an offensive weapon under the Corrosives and Explosives Substances and Offensive Weapons Act.

The police are currently conducting an investigation to determine if any person has committed this offence.

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A mother was shocked when her young son came home with a lethal weapon that he had bought from a toyshop in Tampines with no sweat.

Businesswoman Farrah Diba was stunned that her son, who is only 11 years old and studying in a primary school, was able to procure a sharp, curved knife called a karambit from the shop so easily.

She said: "The curved blade was about 9.5cm long and it was so sharp, I could slice a thick piece of cardboard effortlessly."

Posting her warning to other parents on Facebook yesterday (Sep 20), she said: "My barely 12-year-old son came back from school with this shockingly sharp and lethal weapon called a karambit. He said he bought it at Hako @ Tampines 1 at only $15.

"I am appalled at how easy it is for a child in primary school to purchase this weapon without (the shop) checking the age of the child."

SHOP SAYS THE YOUNG CAN BUY THE KNIFE TOO

Farrah said she rang up the shop and the retailer there "confidently" told her the weapon was allowed for sale to all age groups by the police.

But she was not convinced by the shop's answer.

"I am going to pursue this matter until every single Hako locker with a weapon is raided and banned from being sold.

"Please spread the word. This is too much and I cannot imagine how many of these knives have already been bought by kids in our neighbourhood."

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155612176278954[/embed]

Facebook users were obviously alarmed by her warning as her post has been shared more than 2,500 times by this morning.

The karambit (as it's called in Malay and Bahasa Indonesian) is traditionally used in rice farming in Southeast Asia. But it has been weaponised, which made it more curvy and sharper, and even better-looking with stylish designs seen in violent computer games - obviously targeting at gaming and cosplay fans.

Responding to Frarah's post, Facebook user Farah Aziz said: "That is bloody irresponsible of the shop! In the first place, why even sell it to kids? Didn't they watch all these bullying videos involving kids in schools?"

Netizen Amelia Lee wanted to check it out for herself and was shocked to find the Hako shop in Tampines selling it.

"They are indeed selling the weapons there! OMG. They look really solid and just like curved daggers."

Some netizens pointed how dangerous the karambit is even though its blade is below 10cm long. Called a 'tiger's claw" in Indonesia, it's used in traditional martial arts in Sumatra. Modern versions have become popular among cosplayers and gamers who are among Hako's young clientele.

Shikin Rahmat said: "I can't just sit back knowing such weapons are being sold islandwide and Hako is a favourite of all students!"

The warning has prompted teacher Haya Hashim to start "checking on her students".

HAKO WITHDRAWS SALE OF KNIFE

Toy Outpost, which rents display units to small retailers at its Hako chain stores, has asked the merchant involved to stop selling the karambit knife at its outlets in Tampines 1 mall and Bedok Mall.

It said in a Facebook post: "We decided to take a conservative move in asking the merchant to cease the sale of the 'knife' (in our stores at Bedok Mall and Tampines 1) after much deliberation among the management. Sale of other sharp items like penknives, scissors and everyday use products will still continue."

The company said it had earlier asked the merchant to put up a note stating such items should not be sold to minors aged 14 and below, following Farrah's call. But it later decided to stop the sale of the knife after considering the concerns.

It added the knife was sold at $30, and not $15 as stated in her post.

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/ToyOutpost/posts/10154867784206863[/embed]

A 2014 study covering a few thousand local students found violent video games were linked to aggressive thoughts and behaviour.

In April this year, a 16-year-old Bedok View Secondary School student was arrested after attacking a female student with a knife over relationship issues.

Abroad in US and Australia, there have been reports of students bringing dangerous weapons that they had bought online to schools.

The New Paper reported today that plainclothes policemen were seen at Hako at Tampines 1.

AsiaOne has notified the police about the case and its spokesman said he will respond after running a check on the incident.

chenj@sph.com.sg