Economy rice seller dies in Penang after being stabbed 27 times

GEORGE TOWN: A rice seller in his 60s died after being stabbed 27 times in a car park in Jelutong by unknown assailants, says George Town acting deputy OCPD Supt. V. Saravanan.

He said that Teh Teik Chye died due to serious injuries to his chest and neck and was declared dead when receiving treatment at the Penang Hospital on Tuesday (Dec 5).

Supt Saravanan said that the police received information at 6.18pm on Tuesday that there were people fighting in the area, adding that a witness saw a man lying at the parking lot of a block of apartments and called the victim's next of kin and the police.

"Investigations showed 27 stab wounds to the chest, neck and abdomen of the victim, believed to be from a knife," he added.

Supt Saravanan said the incident is still being investigated, and added that CCTV footage obtained from cameras near a lift and the security office of the apartments showed two suspects on a motorcycle entering the housing area.

"One of them later stabbed the victim while the other waited in the motorcycle. We are still investigating the motive although we suspect it could be a robbery or murder as the suspect has a criminal record," he said.

He said the victim sold economy rice at the public market at Perak Road, stayed in the apartment and had children and grandchildren.

The case is being investigated as a murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.