DALAT: A labourer, his two sons and their cousin were believed to have killed a Form 4 boy in Sungei Kut all because of a girl.
The violent crime was believed to have been sparked when the fourth former sent an SMS to the girlfriend of the eldest son of the 48-year labourer.
Dalat police chief DSP Martin Koo confirmed the crime, saying they had classified it under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
“We have arrested the four and seized murder weapons from them. The weapons include a mop stick and a belt.”
He said the body of 16-year-old Dick Collin Kumeng had been sent to Sibu Hospital for post-mortem, and the police were expected to confirm the cause of Dick’s death once the post-mortem is done.
Koo said the girl was believed to have told her boyfriend, a 21-year-old, about the message and that the boyfriend had reacted by getting the help of his cousin, 26, to confront the fourth former.
Khoo said they beat the boy up while he was walking on a wooden plank-walk in front of a shop around 10pm on Thursday.
“The two also warned Dick not to disturb the girl again. But, an hour later, Dick called up the two and asked them to meet him,” Koo said.
According to Koo, the eldest son this time called his father and his 19-year-old brother to join him.
“The encounter this time led to a fight, and the four armed themselves with a mop stick and a belt. They also rained blows and kicks on Dick,” Koo said.
He said both parties went home after that and when Dick woke up the next morning he had pain all over his body.
“His mother took him to the hospital in Dalat. She lodged a report at 4pm. Two hours later, we arrested the four in Sungei Kut,” Koo said, adding Dick died at 6am on Saturday.
“We have detained the father and sons together with their cousin for seven days under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code for investigation.
“We are investigating the murder from all angles, including whether there were elements of self-defence.”