Construction worker killed after row with friend

GEORGE TOWN: A 52-year-old construction worker has allegedly been killed by his friend after a heated argument.

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong said police received a distress call at 2.30pm on Friday (Sept 24).

“We were told there was a fatal road accident at Changkat Minden Height, Gelugor.

“Based on the information given, police immediately went to the scene.

“However, investigations at the scene found that there were no elements of a road accident.

“The police team suspected foul play and that a crime had been committed,” he said.

ACP Soffian added that after the North-East District crime investigation team arrived at the scene and did a preliminary examination, they suspected that the victim had been beaten up.

From interviews with witnesses, he said, they gathered that a 42-year-old suspect had fought with the victim.

“The suspect claimed that the victim said rude things to him," ACP Soffian said, adding that this resulted in the suspect beating up the victim.

“Further investigations revealed that the victim was initially lying next to his motorcycle and a witness shifted his body to try and resuscitate him, but failed to do so.

“The forensics team did not find any weapons used during the fight.

“However, there were bruises on the victim’s forehead and a small cut near his right eye.

“The victim will be taken to the hospital for a post-mortem to determine the actual cause of death,” he said.

He added that the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries the death penalty upon conviction.

“We have identified the suspect and investigations are still ongoing.

“We hope that members of the public with information about the incident will come forward to the nearest police station to facilitate investigations.

“It is learnt that both the suspect and victim knew each other and had been seen spending time together in the neighbourhood,” he said.