A married couple has been arrested to assist investigations into the murder of a disabled man with learning difficulties in Ladang Merdeka Cherbu, Padang Lati near Bachok last month.
Bachok district police chief Superintendent Mohamad Ismail Jamaluddin said the 26-year-old man and his 27-year-old wife were detained at around 4.30pm in Kampung Padang Salim, Peringat yesterday.
He said urine screening tests found both the male suspect, who works as a labourer, and his wife, a housewife, to be negative for drugs.
The male suspect, however, has prior records involving drugs and crime. Police also believe both suspects were acquaintances of the victim and are linked to two other male suspects previously arrested in connection with the case.
The couple has been remanded under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Earlier today, the pair arrived at the Kota Bharu Magistrate’s Court complex in police custody at about 8.45am for remand proceedings. The magistrate granted a seven-day remand for the husband until next Friday, while the wife was remanded for five days.
Police earlier reported that the murder mystery involving 20-year-old Muhammad Zakir Fikry Mohd. Zainal, a disabled man with learning difficulties, began to unravel after two individuals were arrested in Kubang Kerian and Kota Bharu on May 10.
Investigations revealed that the victim was believed to have been assaulted, suffering severe head injuries.
The victim was found lying in a village area with blood on his face while still alive at around 7.30am on April 14. He later succumbed to his injuries at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian at approximately 12.55am the following day.
