KUCHING: Speculation is rife over the occupation of Mohamad Fitri Pauzi, one of the prime suspects in the murder of Miri Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) secretary and social activist Bill Kayong.
When a picture of Fitri, taken with Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Tan Sri Peter Chin was circulated on social media, many speculated that Fitri was with the security staff of Chin when he was a minister.
He was also said to be a member of the police force.
However, CID chief SAC Dev Kumar has confirmed that Fitri is not from the police force.
“There’s nothing to hide. I have been very open with the investigation. The only thing we did not reveal is the motive as we do not want to jeopardise the trial.
“All evidence obtained will be produced during the trial, including the motive,” he said.
Yesterday, Dev Kumar confirmed to The Borneo Post that Fitri is “with a local thug.”
“He is a car re-possessor and bouncer. He is associated with a local thug group in Miri. He is from Sibu — only educated up to Form Two,” the CID chief said.
Dev Kumar also pointed out that there was no political motive in the murder.
“This case has nothing to do with politics. Just because he is captured on photo with a politician, everyone assumes Fitri is politically connected. This is not true. Our investigations have dismissed the case as politically motivated.
“We hope the public will stop all this speculation. Nothing can be hidden once the case goes to trial.
“We will spare no efforts in tracking down the three persons still at large, including the Datuk.
“The fact that he is a Datuk and corporate figure is not relevant to our investigations. He will have to face justice just like any other ordinary person,” he added.
The on-going investigation has, so far, turned up two men who were produced and charged in the Miri Magistrate’s Court on July 15.
Fitri, 29, was charged with murder (by shooting Bill) under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
The other suspect, Lie Chang Loon, also 29, was charged with abetment, an offence punishable under Section 109 read together with Section 302 of the Penal Code.
Also charged (in absentia) for abetting Mohamad Fitri in the commission of the crime were Lee Chee Kiang, also known as Dato Stephen Lee, who has left the country, and two others still at large.
Both Fitri and Lie have been ordered detained in Lambir Prison since then.
On Sunday, Dev Kumar confirmed Lee had fled to Australia on June 23, two days after the shooting incident.
“Police will go through all legal channels to bring Lee back,” he said, adding the other two suspects could still be in the country.
Magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles fixed Aug 30 for case mention.
Bill Kayong was killed in a drive-by shooting at a traffic light intersection near E-Mart in Permyjaya Miri on June 21.
The 43-year-old was a vociferous advocate of social issues and had campaigned on NCR land issues in the last state election. He was defeated in a four-cornered fight won by direct BN candidate Rosey Yunus.