NST CRIME WATCH: Dead baby in bin, another abandoned; murder probe and custody death draw scrutiny [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: One baby was found dead in a rubbish bin while another was found abandoned beneath a staircase. Both cases were reported in Kuala Lumpur.

In Penampang, Sabah, a suspect was arrested in connection with a 17-year-old murder case.

In Kota Tinggi, Johor, a 68-year-old Felda settler was found axed to death.

A death in custody at the Cheras district police headquarters also drew the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Below are some of the major crimes reported this week.

BABY GIRL FOUND DEAD IN BANGSAR RUBBISH BIN

The body of a baby girl, believed to be about seven months old, was found in a rubbish bin at a waste-disposal site in Bangsar on Oct 23.

Brickfields district police chief Assistant Commissioner Hoo Chang Hook said the discovery was made by an Alam Flora worker.

The body, measuring approximately 28cm, was taken to the Forensics Unit at Hospital Kuala Lumpur for a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.

On Oct 24, Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus confirmed that two foreigners, a 23-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, had been detained near the scene to assist investigations.

The case is being investigated under Section 318 of the Penal Code, which concerns the secret disposal of the body of a child, whether the child dies before, during or after birth. Investigators are seeking to establish the baby's identity, the cause of death and how the body came to be discarded.

BABY BOY ABANDONED IN A BOX

A one-month-old baby boy was found alive in a box beneath the staircase of an apartment block at Desa Satu, Desa Aman Puri, Jalan Puri Kepong, on Oct 22.

Gombak district police chief Assistant Commissioner Ibrahim Husin said the infant was in good health and had been admitted to hospital for observation.

Initial reports did not establish the identity of the person responsible or the circumstances surrounding the case.

It is being investigated under Section 317 of the Penal Code, which concerns the exposure or abandonment of a child under 12 by a parent or person having care of the child, with the intention of wholly abandoning the child. Police have appealed for information to help identify the person responsible.

PENAMPANG MURDER COLD CASE, SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER 17 YEARS

Police arrested a 42-year-old man on Oct 22 in connection with the murder of a man in Beverly Hills, Penampang, on April 11, 2009.

The suspect was detained by officers from the Penampang district police headquarters at a house in Kolombong, Inanam.

Acting Penampang police chief ASP Arisanti Aziz announced the arrest on Oct 24, describing it as part of police efforts to track down people suspected of involvement in serious crimes.

The arrest came more than 17 years after the murder. However, the report did not identify the victim, detail the circumstances of the killing or explain what evidence led investigators to the suspect.

The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. The arrest marks a significant development in the long-running investigation.

FELDA SETTLER MURDERED IN KOTA TINGGI

A 68-year-old Felda settler was found dead with slash wounds to his head and both arms at Felda Lok Heng Selatan, Kota Tinggi, on Oct 26.

Residents had reportedly seen a man behaving aggressively while carrying an axe in the area. The victim was found lying by the roadside, and medical personnel from the nearby Bukit Waha Health Clinic pronounced him dead.

[[nid:1567301]]

Police arrested a 41-year-old man at an oil palm plantation the following day. Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said police seized an axe and a motorcycle believed to be connected to the incident.

Police checks found that the suspect had six previous criminal and drug-related records. However, the motive for the killing had not been established.

The suspect was remanded until Nov 3 to facilitate investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

DEATH IN POLICE CUSTODY

The investigation into the death of 42-year-old Noorizwan Zulkefly, who died after being detained at the Cheras district police headquarters, became a major police accountability issue during the week.

Noorizwan had been detained to assist investigations into several drug and property offences. He was taken to Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz on Sept 30 and pronounced dead the following day.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.

On Oct 24, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for a thorough and transparent investigation. On Oct 26, the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) announced that it had begun investigating alleged misconduct connected with the death.

A forensic medical consultant reported external injuries consistent with blunt-force trauma that were not self-inflicted.

However, police said the complete post-mortem report confirming the cause of death was still pending. Investigators were also working to identify the policemen involved in handling Noorizwan while he was in custody.

Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the investigation.