ASP Yeoh Chun Shyan (left) checks Ngu’s body at the crime scene.
SIBU: A construction worker stabbed two co-workers to death over work-related matters at a house under construction in Kwong Ann Lane yesterday morning.
The 64-year-old suspect, surnamed Sia, who is said to be mentally retarded, was knocked down by a pick-up truck in what is believed to be a suicide attempt after murdering the two men.
The man, critically injured on his head, was rushed to Sibu Hospital for treatment.
The two slain victims were identified as Ngu Soon Hiew, 61 and Law Pang Chii, 73.
Sibu police chief ACP Mohd Kamal Kordi confirmed the case, which was solved after a few hours, when contacted yesterday.
Ngu and Law were said to be working at their workplace at the house belonging to a businessman when the suspect arrived on a motorcycle about 10am and started to have an argument with them.
The enraged suspect subsequently stabbed Ngu and Law with a sharp object and then fled the house.
A neighbour said when the suspect hopped onto his motorcycle attempting to flee,
two other workers tried to stop him with a wooden board but failed.
The neighbour said she did not hear any quarrels between the men but she did see the bleeding Ngu running out of the house (scene) shouting for help.
She said the victim collapsed in front of a neighbouring house about 50 metres from the scene but ‘he was still breathing at the time’.
Other workers carried Ngu back to the house where Law was also stabbed. Ngu died of three stabs on his left rib cage and two on the left elbow while Law died after one stab to his heart.
Paramedics declared the two victims dead at the scene.
Another neighbour who called for the police told them (police) of the suspect’s motorcycle registration plate.
The police also checked the CCTV footage at the neighbour’s house to look for leads.
They went to a house in Gambir Road but could not find the suspect there.
The police proceeded to another house at Brooke Drive but the occupants refused to open the door after the police had identified themselves as policemen.
They managed to enter the house and combed the premises where they found the suspect’s photograph.
The suspect’s employer identified him as his uncle. The slain Law who works for him as a foreman was also his relative.
Later, around 1pm, the police were alerted of an accident involving the suspect in front of a shopping mall at Tunku Abdul Rahman Road. The suspect was knocked down by a pick-up truck.
He reached the accident scene by foot after he was involved in a minor accident with a lorry.
The suspect has been jobless since he returned from Penang where he worked.
His employer offered him a job a few months ago.
Also at the crime scene yesterday were Dudong assemblyman Yap Hoi Liong, Sibu MP Oscar Ling and Pelawan assemblyman David Wong.
Yap thanked the police for their fast response to the serious crime.
He urged the people to cooperate with the police so that they could gather enough evidence to put the perpetrator behind bars.
Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination on the two men would be carried out on Tuesday while the police are expected to apply for a remand order on the suspect today.