Murder suspect was in hiding for 26 years

JOHOR BARU: A 56-year-old man, who was among the six people picked up by police during A. Kugan's funeral procession on Wednesday, had been on the run for 26 years.
He became a wanted man after a murder in Kampung Melayu Majidee here in 1983, where he was alleged to have slashed a 24-year-old in a gang fight. The victim died two days later. The suspect was then 30 years old. He fled the state and had been in hiding ever since.

He was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after a scuffle with police outside the University Malaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya when he refused to disperse despite being ordered to do so.

Yesterday, he was brought to the Johor Baru (south) police station where he was remanded for a week to facilitate investigations into the murder. It is learnt that during questioning, the suspect demanded a KFC set meal for lunch. He also claimed to be self-employed.

By Jassmine Shadiqe jashadiqe@nst.com.my

State police chief Datuk Mokhtar Shariff confirmed the suspect is in the custody of Johor police.
The others picked up during the funeral procession were released after their statements were recorded.