Abducted contractor stabbed to death

Wanted

KOTA KINABALU - A West Malaysian man who was kidnapped and purported held for ransom was found dead with 11 stab wounds on his body.

Revealing this yesterday, Sabah Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief SAC Salehhudin Abdul Rahman said the victim had been identified as Teng Seng Yap, 31, a contractor who is based in the state capital.

The victim's body was found in bushes at Kampung Karambunai Baru, Tuaran around 3:50 am on February 12, he said.

"Initial police investigation showed the victim sustained 11 stabbed wounds on his body," Salehhudin said.

"Police also believe that the victim was murdered somewhere else before his body was dumped in the area."

According to Salehhudin, prior to the discovery on February 10 around 1pm, the victim's father had received a telephone call from an unknown individual who claimed that his son had been kidnapped and demanded RM100,000 for his release.

"This prompted the father to immediately lodge a police report at the city police headquarters in Karamunsing on the same day," he said.

The police detained seven foreigners, including a 30-year-old man who is believed to be the main suspect in the case, in Telipok and Inanam between February 11 and 12.

Salehhudin said the arrest of the main suspect then led police to the discovery of the victim's body at a bush at Kampung Karambunai Baru, Tuaran on Thursday.

He said police investigation showed the victim had been murdered before the telephone call was made to the latter's father.

He said the police believed the motive of the murder was unpaid debt amounting to RM15,000.

"At the moment, the police are hunting for another suspect, Osma Japarul Husin, 45.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this man can contact the Tuaran police hotline at 088-791966 or visit the nearest police station.

The victim leaves behind a wife and a three-month-old child.