Man with mental disability kills brother over repeated requests for money

KUALA TERENGGANU: A 42-year-old man with a mental disability, dissatisfied that his elder brother frequently asked family members for money, beat his sibling to death, said police.

Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairudin said the incident occurred at Kampung Banggol Tasik, Bukit Payung, yesterday morning.

He said preliminary investigations found that the suspect had long been unhappy with his 43-year-old brother, who had a record of drug-related offences and was said to ask family members for money frequently.

"The anger may have been building up for some time before the suspect acted, but the actual motive is still under investigation," he told a press conference.

Khairi said police said the victim sustained severe blunt force injuries.

The victim's 36-year-old sister was also injured in the head and right hand while trying to stop the suspect and is being treated at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ).

"The suspect was arrested by police by the roadside in Bandar Bukit Payung, Marang.

"The suspect had been receiving treatment for mental health issues at HSNZ and was due for follow-up treatment."

The case is being probed under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries either the death penalty or a jail term of 30 to 40 years, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the rotan if the death penalty is not imposed.