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Umno politician, husband, son slain in their home

KUALA LUMPUR — A United Malays National Organisation (Umno) politician, her husband and son were killed by a knife-wielding attacker who ran amok in their home in Kampung Bertam Malim, Malacca, early on Thursday (Aug 25).

Police cordon off the scene of the attack for investigations.  Photo: Malay Mail Online via Facebook

Police cordon off the scene of the attack for investigations. Photo: Malay Mail Online via Facebook

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KUALA LUMPUR — A United Malays National Organisation (Umno) politician, her husband and son were killed by a knife-wielding attacker who ran amok in their home in Kampung Bertam Malim, Malacca, early on Thursday (Aug 25). 

The permanent chairperson of Umno’s women wing in Tangga Batu, Mariah Baharom, 62, her husband Hassan A Wahab, 70, and their 22-year-old son Taufik Hassan were killed in the 6.30am attack, while the couple’s two adult daughters Noraslinda, 27, and Noraqida, 24, and an 80-year-old woman were seriously injured. 

The New Straits Times (NST)  reported that the trio have been taken to Melaka Hospital for treatment. 

The attacker is said to be a relative, added the daily, though it provided no source for the information. The NST also reported that police caught a 26-year-old alleged drug addict suspected to be the killer in the compound of Masjid Bukit Rambai, several kilometres away from the scene, at 11am.

Police cordoned off the house for investigations. A forensics team arrived at the scene to collect evidence, while a crowd formed outside the house, spilling onto the street. Some were reported to be in tears.

National news agency Bernama reported a neighbour, Norashikin Mohd Arifin, 30, saying she had heard screams for help about 6.30am.

She said that she called another neighbour to check on the source of the screams before calling the police. “That family does not have problems with neighbours, they are friendly to everyone,” she was quoted as saying.

Malacca police chief Ramli Din told reporters at the crime scene that the case is being investigated for murder under Section 203 of the Penal Code, which carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

He added that the detainee has a history of drug addiction and the police are investigating if there is a link between his narcotics consumption and the attack. He also said the house was occupied by eight people, but one of them was away working.

Malay-language daily Sinar Harian reported Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron and federal Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Noh Omar were also at the scene.

“Noh Omar and I rushed off to Bertam when we received the sad news of Mariah’s death,” Mr Idris was quoted as saying in a Facebook post.

“I am saddened by this news and have asked the authorities to investigate this immediately and bring the criminals responsible to face justice.” MALAY MAIL ONLINE

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