KENINGAU: A businessman lost RM300,000 and valuables to armed robbers in the town here on Thursday afternoon.
Acting District Police chief, ASP Merbin Anak Lisa yesterday said the incident occurred at about 7.30pm in the parking area of an eatery in the town here.
“The victim, a local Chinese in his 20s, came out of his Toyota Hilux vehicle and was approached by two men armed with a machete and robbed him of his valuables and RM300,000 inside his vehicle,” he said.
Earlier, Merbin said, at about 4.30pm, the victim took the money from his father in Kota Kinabalu to pay for salaries of logging factory workers owned by his family.
Merbin said on arrival in Keningau, the victim stopped for dinner before returning home, but he did not realize that he was being followed by two suspicious men believed to be local based on their accent.
“In the incident, one of the suspects raided the driver’s door side, and asked the victim to hand over his wallet, two rings and a necklace.
“Another suspect opened the front passenger door of the vehicle and took a traveller’s bag containing the cash placed in front of the passenger’s seat,” he said.
Merbin said both suspects fled the scene on a motorcycle while the victim lodged a report with the district police headquarters.
According to him, the victim could not identify the suspects and their motorcycle as both were wearing helmets with dark visors. Moreover, the weather was dark and rainy at the time.
He said the police were still investigating the case under Section 395/397 for armed robbery.
Meanwhile, Merbin advised individuals who wished to withdraw a lot of money to bring a friend who can be trusted or use the services of a security guard that can guarantee their safety.