Penang police reclassify Nibong Tebal septic tank case as murder

The murder case started with a missing person report, before the discovery of the man in his 50s with his hands and feet bound, in the septic tank at the back of the Taman Seri Bistari house in Nibong Tebal, Penang on September 9, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Friday, 11 Sep 2026 9:22 AM MYT

NIBONG TEBAL, Sept 11 — Police are conducting a thorough investigation to identify the motive and cause of the incident following the discovery of a local man’s body in a septic tank at a house in Taman Seri Bistari here, Wednesday.

Seberang Perai Selatan Deputy Police Chief DSP Mohd Norazmi Abd Ghapar said a post-mortem on the body was conducted today and the victim’s identity has also been confirmed.

“Based on the post-mortem results and the progress of the investigation, the case has been reclassified from Section 365 of the Penal Code to Section 302 of the Penal Code and is now being investigated as a murder case.

“Police are conducting further comprehensive investigations to identify the motive and cause of the incident, in addition to tracking down and arresting any suspects involved,” he said in a statement last night.

Mohd Norazmi said the case was initially investigated following a missing person report for a local man lodged on Sept 7 before police discovered the body at the house Wednesday.

He also advised the public not to make any speculation or spread unverified information to avoid confusion and prevent disrupting the ongoing investigation.

He urged members of the public with information regarding the incident to come forward to assist with the investigation by contacting the investigating officer, ASP Jegathiswaran Chanthirasegaran, at 04-5858222 or any nearby police station.

Earlier, a foul stench from a terrace house in Taman Seri Bistari led to the discovery of a man’s body, believed to be in his 50s, with his hands and feet bound inside a septic tank at the back of the house.

The victim’s body is believed to have been inside the tank for at least two days before it was found and retrieved with the assistance of the Fire and Rescue Department. — Bernama