GEORGE TOWN: The future of the children of a middle-aged couple, who were beaten to death on Wednesday in a bizarre "cleansing ritual", is looking brighter as they are now in the care of their uncle.

Mohd Ali Kader Mydin said he would take good care of his niece and nephews, who are aged between 14 and 21.

He said his niece was still traumatised by the incident.

She was present when her parents , Mohd Ibrahim Kader Mydin, 47, and Rosina S.M. Mydin Pillay, 41, were beaten to death.

He said the girl, a top scorer at a local university in Kuala Lumpur, had refused to attend her parents' funeral even though she was especially close to her father.
Ali said the girl, who sustained severe injuries on her face and back, was currently in the care of her aunt in Bayan Baru.

The girl's 17-year-old brother is being held by police, while the eldest of the three, is in hospital with injuries sustained during the ritual.

"I will try to fight for my nephew who is being held by police as I believe he did no wrong," said Ali, 48, an ambulance driver.

"Let police investigate the matter now. Later, I will ask for custody of the boy."

Ibrahim and Rosina were beaten to death with helmets and broomsticks at the Sri Sarawak flats in Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur.

The family were said to have participated in a ritual to rid Ibrahim and his wife of his smoking habit and her liver ailment.

The ritual called for family members to hit each other with helmets and broomsticks.

Eleven people belonging to two families were present at the ritual.

"My niece passed out after she was beaten. When she regained consciousness, her parents were soaked in blood."