A 54-year-old man who died at a care centre in Tanjung Rambutan is believed to have been assaulted after he was allegedly tied up, beaten and stomped on by fellow residents and a caretaker.
Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said preliminary investigations found that the incident took place on the night of Aug 3 after the victim was allegedly behaving aggressively and disturbing other residents at the centre.
He said a caretaker later instructed that the victim be restrained before several residents, together with the caretaker, allegedly assaulted him.
“Police received information regarding the victim’s death at 5.41pm on Tuesday.
“An autopsy conducted by a forensic medical specialist from Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB), Ipoh, confirmed that the cause of death was due to blunt force trauma injuries to the head,” he said during a press conference here on Thursday.
Mohd Alwi said the victim was one of 21 residents at the care centre and had been placed there with the consent of his family.
He added that the victim’s family had been informed of the incident, while further investigations, including obtaining the victim’s medical records from the centre, are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Mohd Alwi said initial checks found that the care centre had been operating since 2012 but only had business registration with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).
He said there were no documents showing that the premises had obtained valid licences from the Social Welfare Department (JKM), Ipoh City Council (MBI) or approval from the Health Ministry (MOH).
“The premises was also found not to be equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
“Police are completing investigations from all angles, including recording witness statements and working closely with relevant agencies,” he said.
Police had earlier detained five men, comprising a caretaker and four residents aged between 35 and 55, to assist investigations.
All five suspects were remanded for four days until Aug 8 to assist investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
