MUKAH (Dec 18): A suspect has been remanded for seven days in connection with the tragic death of a foreign oil palm plantation worker in Mukah on Sunday.
The incident occurred in the workers’ quarters of a local plantation, where a 29-year-old foreign man was found dead from severe injuries to his neck and abdomen. Police believe the injuries were caused by a sharp object during an altercation at around 6pm.
Mukah police chief DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias confirmed that the suspect, also a foreigner, was arrested at 4:15pm on Monday. A team from the Mukah police station, conducting Operation Kesan in the plantation area, was able to locate and apprehend the suspect, who had been hiding about 5km from the scene of the crime.
“When the police team confronted the suspect, he attempted to flee, and minimal force was used to arrest him,” DSP Muhamad Rizal said in a statement. The authorities seized weapons and clothing from the suspect, which were believed to have been used during the murder.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Following the fatal incident, police launched a manhunt with the assistance of the police canine unit and the General Operations Force. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
This case has raised concerns over the safety of foreign workers in Malaysia’s plantations, and police are determined to bring those responsible to justice.