IPOH: Police have detained a man and a woman to assist in investigations into the murder of a Datuk’s second wife.
Taiping district police chief Assistant Commissioner Harith Kam Abdullah said the woman, 78, was a close relative of the 82-year-old Datuk.
“We are investigating the murder from the angle of family feud and robbery,” he said at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun here today, where the 68-year-old victim’s remains were sent for a post mortem.
In the 7.30pm incident on Friday at Taman Lake View, Taiping, the man, 57, and woman had visited the Datuk and his second wife, who was a retired matron.
Kam said two other suspects, who were wearing full-faced helmets, also entered the Datuk’s house brandishing parang.
“After tying the Datuk’s hands and feet with a scarf, the suspects escorted the victim to the bedroom before escaping.”
“The victim was found dead by the male guest,” he added, adding that the cause of death was a slash wound to the neck.
Kam said police had discovered a discarded knife in the compound of the house, but no bloodstains were found on the blade.
“An initial statement from the Datuk revealed that his ties with the close relative were bad, while the close relative said she had visited the Datuk to demand money.”
Kam said it was unclear what happened to the man and woman during the incident, and how the two parang-wielding suspects arrived and fled the scene.
However, he said no commotion was reported and the suspects were heard talking in Indonesian accents.
“Those with information are urged to contact the nearest police station,” said Kam, adding that the man and woman had been remanded for seven days to assist in investigations.
When approached by reporters earlier, the Datuk said he had been married to the victim for 36 years, but were childless.