Bangladeshi found murdered with shovel at vegetable farm

BUTTERWORTH: A Bangladeshi man was found dead at a water pumpkin farm here at Jalan Ara Kuda in Tasek Gelugor on Wednesday morning (June 10).

North Seberang Prai OCPD Asst Comm Noorzainy Mohd Noor said the 50-year-old’s body was found by a female farmworker who was on her way to work around 8.45am.

“Checks on the body found that there were vertical tears on the victim’s forehead caused by a blunt and hard object.

“There were bruises on the victim’s left cheeks and the victim was hurt in the right knee.

“Bloodstains were also found on the left and bottom of the victim’s head.

“We found a 70cm shovel to the left of the victim, which we believe was the weapon used by the suspect.

ACP Noorzainy said a witness interview found that the victim was earlier seen lying on the ground at the farm around 7am.

“The witness saw the victim when she was going to work and called the victim’s relative who are staying in Penang.

“According to interviews with witnesses who stay near the farm, they saw the victim heading to one of the witnesses’ house at 9pm yesterday (June 9).

“The witnesses said the victim was there to collect the workers’ pay so that he could mail it to the workers’ families in Bangladesh.

“After receiving the money, the victim reportedly left and was found dead at the farm today (June 10) at 7am.

He said the victim was a former worker at the vegetable farm and had stayed there for three years.

“During the movement control order (MCO) period, the victim started a credit top-up business for mobile phones and helped other farmworkers to send money to their families.

“The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

“The police are currently tracing the suspect and we urge anyone with information on the case to head to the nearest police station to assist in our investigations.