A 75-YEAR-OLD man was found dead with a severe slash wound to his neck at his home in Kampung Gading, Ulu Bongawan, with police arresting a 35-year-old foreign national within 24 hours in connection with the killing.
The suspect was arrested at about 12.30pm today at a workers' quarters in the same village following intelligence gathering and an operation by Papar district police, assisted by the Sabah contingent police headquarters' Criminal Investigation Department.
Papar district police chief Superintendent Heryan Mohd Tahir said police received information about the discovery of the victim at his residence at about 6.15pm yesterday.
Initial examinations found that the victim had sustained serious injuries to his neck, believed to have been inflicted with a sharp weapon.
Heryan said preliminary investigations indicated that the killing may have stemmed from a dispute between the suspect and victim over an outstanding debt for grocery purchases.
“Initial investigations found that the incident was believed to have stemmed from a dispute involving a debt over grocery purchases between the suspect and the victim.
“However, the actual motive for the killing is still under investigation,” he said when contacted today.
He said the suspect was tracked down and arrested by a team from the Papar district police Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the Sabah contingent police headquarters.
Police also seized several items believed to be connected to the killing for examination and forensic analysis.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, with police expected to apply for a remand order tomorrow to facilitate further investigations. - November 9, 2026
