Tycoon stumbled upon his killer

BY RUBEN SARIO

KOTA KINABALU: As police continue their probe into the murders of Datuk Wong Tze Fatt and his wife Datin Lee Bee Hee, more evidence is emerging that the elderly Sabah tycoon had walked in on his assailant. 

Police believe that Wong was about to leave for breakfast at the Jesselton hotel, which he owned, when he encountered the man at his house atop Signal Hill here on Thursday. 

“Wong was dressed to go out and is believed to be about to leave his home when he encountered the intruder,” said state police Criminal Investigations Department chief Senior Asst Comm II Bakri Zinin yesterday. 

Wong: Was dressed to go out when he was killed.

There was also ample evidence indicating that the intruder had been ransacking Wong’s house just before the attack.  

“We're more certain now that this incident began as a burglary but resulted in murder,” said SAC II Bakri, adding that the evidence gathered so far indicated that Wong’s assailant had worked alone. 

SAC II Bakri said on Friday that the intruder murdered Wong and Lee and set fire to their house, as he was certain the elderly couple could identify him and wanted to cover up his grisly crime. 

Their attacker, believed to have been an illegal immigrant, died in the fire he started in a room after killing Wong and Lee. 

Funeral services for Wong, the owner of the Tong Hing group of companies that included the Jesselton Hotel, Tong Hing supermarkets and the Gardenia bakery and beverage maker and Lee will be held on Wednesday.