Eight cops including four senior officers detained in Tawau murder probe

KOTA KINABALU: Eight policemen attached to the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), including four senior officers, have been arrested in connection with a murder in the east coast Tawau district.

Sabah Police Commissioner Comm Datuk Idris Abdullah confirmed the detention in a statement here on Saturday (Jan 28) following news reports over the matter previously.

He said the arrests were made to help in the probe involving the discovery of the body of a man found dead in a bush on Jan 16.

“The eight people arrested have been remanded for seven days to help in the investigations.

“The police have also formed a special investigation team from Bukit Aman. We will not issue a detailed statement on the case (for now),” he said.

Comm Idris said this was because the probe was still in the early stages and any further statement could jeopardise the probe.

“The media is also urged not to make any speculation (about the case) linking it to security issues because the case was more of a personal nature.

“A press conference will be called once the investigations are completed,” he said, adding that the probe has been framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

A white Myvi car was also found next to the victim’s body on Jan 16.

It was earlier reported that six policemen including one with the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner had been arrested in connection with the murder in Tawau.

In the same report, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani confirmed the matter but said the Sabah police chief would issue a statement later.