Myanmar labourer arrested over roommate's murder in Sungai Petani

New Straits Times

2 days ago

SUNGAI PETANI: Police have arrested a Myanmar man over the alleged murder of his roommate at a construction site in Bandar Utama here, following a 10-day manhunt.
Kuala Muda district police chief Assistant Commissioner Hanyan Ramlan said the 59-year-old suspect was nabbed during a raid at a house in Simpang Ampat, Penang, yesterday.
"During the arrest, the suspect attempted to flee but was successfully apprehended. Police also seized a gold coloured mobile phone believed to belong to him," he said in a press conference at the district police headquarters today.
The murder is believed to have occurred at about 11.40pm on July 20, when police received a distress call from a security guard reporting a foreign man found dead at the construction site in Bandar Utama.
Initial investigations found that the victim, believed to be in his 30s, had sustained fatal injuries to the chest and abdomen.
"Post-mortem findings confirmed the cause of death was stab wounds to the chest and stomach. The deceased and the suspect were roommates and both worked as labourers at the site," said Hanyan.
He said an alleged misunderstanding between the two men occurred while they were intoxicated, which led to the deadly altercation.
Following the incident, the suspect had fled and gone into hiding in Penang.
Police launched a targeted operation across the Kuala Muda district and surrounding areas, which led to the arrest.
The suspect, who is undocumented and has no prior criminal record, has been remanded for six days from July 31 to assist in investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment for a term of between 30 and 40 years.
If the death penalty is not imposed, the law also prescribes a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.