The remains of the Johor Baru petrol station murder victim was brought to Melaka for burial after a three-day wake at the Nirvana Memorial Centre in Jalan Skudai, Johor Baru.
It was reported that family members arrived as early as 8am today at the memorial centre before the body was placed in a hearse at about 9.50am.
Among the small group of mourners were the woman, believed to be the deceased’s partner, and a boy, believed to be the victim’s son who boarded a bus to accompany the remains to a Chinese cemetery in Jelutong, Melaka.
Meanwhile, the police are closing in on the mastermind behind the gruesome murder with the arrest of a man and a woman in Penang yesterday,
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Fuzi Harun told the Malay Mail that police believed the couple had strong links to the killing of the 44-year-old moneylender whose name has been reported as Tan Ah Choy/Tan Aik Chai, but known in the underworld circles as Ah Chiu.
Fuzi said police have not ruled out the possibility of the duo, aged 22 and 19, being the masterminds.
“We are yet to establish this. However, with the lead we have so far, we are confident to make a breakthrough soon,” Fuzi was quoted as saying.
The Malay Mail reported that according to its sources, Tan had a long string of drug-related offences in the past 13 years, with 18 cases.
Allegedly, the offences included:
- Possession, custody and control of dangerous drugs in Melaka Tengah in 2004
- Possession of marijuana and ecstasy, and usage of drugs in Taman Perling, Johor Baru, in 2008
- Drug offences that saw him arrested in 2012 and investigated seven times
- Possession of a stolen car in 2012
- Numerous drug offences in 2015 and 2016
The source also said investigators were quick to identify Tan’s gang affiliations based on his associates who were arrested with him previously.
Born in Melaka, Tan had a listed address at Simpang Renggam, Johor.
He was said to be known within the state’s drug syndicates and underworld circles, and linked to illegal moneylending syndicates as a loan shark.
He was believed to have conflicts with several members of a Johor Baru-based rival drug gang, with the source describing his assailants as young and ruthless.
Earlier reports:
Dec 20, Two Held over JB Petrol Station Murder, Wake Shrouded in Mystery
Dec 19, JB Petrol Station Murder: Triad Boss Victim, Drug Dispute Motive
Dec 18, JB Petrol Station Murder: Body Claimed, Car Plate Possibly Forged
Dec 18, Police Refute Rumours of Arrests over Johor Petrol Station Murder