An argument between brothers escalated into a near fatal commotion when the elder brother allegedly slashed his younger brother's hand, stomach and chest at Jalan Tanjung Bendahara, here Tuesday.

In the 11.30am incident, the victim Mohd Rosli Mat, 37, also suffered a fractured hand while his brother Mohamed Rashid Mat, 48, suffered an injury to his left hand.

Kota Setar police chief ACP Mohd Rozi Jidin said police received a call at 12.10pm from a neighbour to inform that two brothers were involved in an heated argument.

"The motive for the argument is being investigated," he said in a statement Tuesday.

Mohd Rosli, who was found in a pool of blood in serious condition, was sent to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital while Mohamed Rashid was detained by police and taken to the same hospital for treatment.

A witness who wanted to be known only as Acik, 16, said he was resting in his house when he heard a commotion and shouts for help from the victim's house at about 11.30am.

"When I heard shouts for help, my family members and I rushed to the victim's house and saw the victim in a pool of blood while the assailant was still holding a weapon.

"When the assailant realised our presence, he went into the house. We managed to carry the victim out of the house before informing the police," he said, adding that the brothers were involved in arguments regularly.