Police have successfully arrested six local men believed to be involved in the murder of a 22-year-old man outside a food and beverage outlet in Pekan Nanas, less than 24 hours after the incident.
Pontian district police chief Superintendent Hadzrat Hussien Mion Hussain said all suspects, aged between 18 and 22, were detained in a special operation conducted from 8pm on May 21 to 4am on May 22.
He said the operation involved the Johor Contingent Criminal Task Force together with the Pontian district police headquarters’ Criminal Investigation Division, supported by the Johor police headquarters’ Criminal Investigation Department.
The raids were carried out around Taman Desa Botani in Batu Pahat and the Lima Kedai Public Housing Apartments in Gelang Patah.
Checks revealed that all the suspects have prior criminal records, including drug-related offences.
Police also seized several items believed to have been used in the incident, including a Nissan Navara four-wheel-drive vehicle, a Toyota Estima, a machete, a black face mask, mobile phones, and various clothing items.
The total value of the seized items is estimated at RM120,000.
Urine screening tests found one suspect positive for benzodiazepine-type drugs, while the remaining five tested negative.
Preliminary investigations showed that all suspects admitted to being involved in the attack that led to the victim’s death.
However, the motive for the incident is still under investigation, and efforts are ongoing to track down other suspects still at large.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
