Suspect nabbed over grisly Lahad Datu child murder

KOTA KINABALU: Authorities have apprehended a 33-year-old Indonesian man who was wanted in connection with the murder of an 11-year-old boy in Malaysia. The suspect was captured in the Felda Sahabat area, approximately 100km from Lahad Datu following a vigilance operation by auxiliary policemen. The arrest took place on Sunday 24th September at around 7am. The suspect is accused of killing the victim, who is the stepson of his friend.

Law enforcement officers from the Lahad Datu police headquarters interrogated the suspect after his capture, resulting in him revealing the location where he had concealed the murder weapon. Working in conjunction with the K9 unit, police retrieved a 23-inch machete that is believed to be the weapon used in the crime. According to ACP Rohan Shah Ahmad, the Lahad Datu district police chief, the suspect is now the sole person of interest in this case. He expressed confidence that the arrest has brought resolution to the matter.

The suspect is scheduled to appear before the Magistrates Court on Monday, where his remand will be sought. ACP Rohan Shah refrained from disclosing the motive behind the murder and stated that further investigation is required. The incident occurred at the Felda Sahabat 50 workers housing on the afternoon of Saturday 23rd September. The victim sustained slash wounds on his head, neck, and hands. At the time, the boy’s mother and stepfather, both foreign nationals employed as general farm workers, had left him under the care of the suspect.