MANJUNG: A property dispute is believed to have led an elderly man to murder a husband and wife.
In the incident that took place in a palm oil plantation near Pantai Remis today, both victims, aged 74, were found dead with severe injuries to their heads and faces as a result of being slashed using a sickle.
A 61-year-old suspect, who is also the uncle of the male victim, has been arrested.
Manjung district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohamed Nordin Abdullah, said the police received a report regarding the incident at 3.30 pm.
"The incident is suspected to have stemmed from a property dispute that led to a confrontation between the 61-year-old suspect and both victims.
"The victims' bodies were found in the palm oil plantation area and had been sent to the forensic unit of the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) in Ipoh for post-mortem examination.
"The police have arrested the suspect and will be taken to the Seri Manjung magistrate's court tomorrow for a remand application for further investigation," he said in a statement.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, and if convicted, the suspect could face the death penalty.
"Members of the public who have information about the incident are urged to contact the Head of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Manjung District Police Headquarters (IPD), Assistant Superintendent Ashazarul Khairi Ab Hamid, at 012-5087026 to assist in the investigation," he said.