Lahad Datu market murder suspect nabbed

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LAHAD DATU: The police believe they have solved a murder case involving a 40-year-old man at the fresh market here with the arrest of a 44-year-old male suspect.

District police chief ACP Hamzah Ahmad yesterday said that the suspect was detained in a plantation area in Kampung Terusan about 1.35 pm, seven hours after the incident.

Hamzah said a member of the public reported finding an unconscious man lying on the vegetable counter in the market about 5.58am yesterday.

Ansar bin Hashim was bleeding from the nose and mouth.

“Initial investigation revealed that the victim was beaten while sleeping using a blunt object. Following the incident, we nabbed two men, aged 27 and 43, to assist in our investigation.

“As a result of our interrogation, we nabbed the main suspect in a plantation area in Kampung Terusan,” he said.

According to Hamzah, interrogation of the suspect revealed that the incident was due to a misunderstanding and a fight broke out between the suspect and the victim on June 23.

The suspect alleged that the victim had removed his vegetables from the fresh market and a fight broke out between them. Ansar was also said to have punched the suspect, causing him to hold a grudge against the victim.

“At about 3.00 am on June 26, the suspect went to the vegetables counter at the market and hit the victim on his head using a stick while he was sleeping,” he said.

Hamzah added the suspect was now under custody and would be remanded to assist in investigation into the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code.