IPOH: The police have arrested an unemployed man suspected of murdering a 19-year-old shop assistant in Simpang, near Taiping.
Taiping OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Nasir Ismail said the suspect, 40, was arrested in a housing estate in Aulong on Thursday (May 1) at about 11am.
ACP Mohamad Nasir said the police had first received a report about the discovery of the victim's body near an oil palm estate at about 2.55pm on Wednesday (April 30).
"Based on our initial investigations, the police located the suspect involved and arrested him within 24 hours," he said in a statement on Thursday (May 1).
"We also seized a knife that we believed was used in the crime," he added.
ACP Mohamad Nasir said the suspect has a criminal record with four prior offences and tested positive for morphine.
"We believe the motive is jealousy.
"He will be brought to the Taiping court to obtain a remand order on Thursday (May 2)," said ACP Mohamad Nasir, adding that the case would be investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
"We urge the people always to provide information to the police to ensure public safety, as any crime will cause anxiety.
"We will take proactive steps to ensure the district is safe," he added.
