KOTA KINABALU: A misunderstanding between two families ended in tragedy when one man was fatally slashed in a village in Tawau on Saturday (Aug 31).
The incident only came to light after the victim’s elder brother reported the murder at the Inanam police station, some 450km away from the scene, at 11.30am on Sunday (Sept 1).
Tawau district police chief Asst Comm Jasmin Hussin said that following the report, officers rushed to Kampung Ranggu Cina, Mile 8, Jalan Apas, where they discovered a lifeless body with slash wounds inside one of the houses.
"We have arrested the suspect, a 31-year-old foreigner who works as a labourer on a farm in Kampung Ranggu Cina, at 12 pm on Sunday (Sept 1)," said Jasmin.
Police also recovered a machete believed to have been used in the attack.
The victim, aged 33, sustained severe slash wounds to his head and body.
"Initial investigations revealed that the suspect and the victim were acquainted. A fight broke out following a family dispute, which escalated tragically, resulting in the victim’s death," Jasmin added.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries the death penalty upon conviction.
Jasmin also mentioned that the suspect will be remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code, with the application to be heard on Monday (Sept 2) at the Tawau Magistrate’s Court to facilitate the investigation.
