‘No illegal organ harvesting here’

KUANTAN: Police have denied any elements of illegal organ harvesting after a decomposed body believed to be that of a missing 11-year-old girl (pic) was found in Pekan.

News linking the discovery with human organ sales activities was completely baseless as there was a possibility the body’s condition was caused by wild animals and exposure, said Pahang CID chief SAC Datuk Othman Nanyan.

He said although the mother of the missing girl had identified the clothes on the body, police could not confirm its identity yet until a DNA test is performed.

The cause of death was probable head injury as three traces of injuries were found on the left side of the jaw, upper left side of the skull and back of the head, said SAC Othman.

Last Saturday, villagers made the gruesome discovery in undergrowth in Kampung Tanjung Medang Hilir some 3km from the missing girl’s house.

The body, believed to be that of Cambodian girl Siti Masitah Ibrahim, was found lying face down with the hands tied behind her back.

The girl was reported missing on Jan 30 when she failed to return home after leaving at about 5pm.

Based on statements from witnesses, the girl was seen riding a motorcycle with an unknown man.

SAC Othman said a 23-year-old Cambodian man, who was detained on Jan 31 to assist in investigations, has admitted his involvement in the girl’s disappearance.

“The suspect is known to the victim’s family and lived in the same village.

At first, he did not confess to being involved with the victim’s disappearance during interrogation but after further questioning, he finally revealed his involvement,” SAC Othman said yesterday.

Police also seized a wooden weapon believed to have been used to hit the victim, he said.

“The motive may have been vengeance or anger towards the victim’s family,” he said.

The suspect has been remanded until Feb 17 for the ongoing murder investigation.