ALOR SETAR - The mystery surrounding the disappearance of a former financial officer of a government agency, Sabari Baharom, 62, in Baling, has been unravelled after police arrested two local men suspected of murdering the victim.
Kedah police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh said that during interrogations, the suspects revealed that Sabari was thrown into the Padang Terap river in Jitra with his hands bound and mouth taped shut.
He said that the two suspects, aged 26 and 38, were arrested last Friday and admitted to committing the act.
"The suspects have confessed that the victim was thrown into the Padang Terap river. However, the victim has not yet been found, and search efforts are still ongoing," he said in a statement on Monday.
The missing person case, he said, has been resolved, but the investigation is ongoing under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
He added the new development had been communicated to the victim's family.
"All parties are advised not to make any speculations regarding the incident and to respect and consider the sensitivities of the victim's family.
"Instead, the public is urged to assist by providing any information related to the incident to the police," he said.
On Sept 3, it was reported that Sabari had gone out to meet a friend in his gold Proton Waja but he could not be reached the following day.
His disappearance was considered a mystery by his family, especially since his Proton Waja was found burned at a dump site in the Gubir Forest ravine, yet Sabari was still missing.
Family members suspected that Sabari had been abducted by an unknown individual, as several money transfer transactions were made from his account to another person's bank account within two days after his disappearance.