Robbers target wrong victims in violent attack on elderly couple

KUALA PILAH - An elderly couple was robbed in their home in Kampung Gemuruh, Kuala Pilah, on the morning of Aug 31.

The victim, Saedin Abdul Hamid, 77, was beaten with sticks by the robbers, who also tied his hands and feet.

His wife, Noriah Rose, 77, was not physically harmed.

Saedin said that he and his wife were the only ones home in the 3am incident.

The five robbers, who were masked and armed with machetes and sticks, broke into the house through the kitchen window.

"Before the incident, my wife heard someone opening the window. I went to the bathroom to look around and there was nothing at that time, until I saw a shadow while I was in the bedroom.

"Some men rushed towards me and hit me repeatedly, then asked for money from the sale of cattle and goats while pointing a machete at my neck," he said when met by reporters at his residence today.

According to Saedin, the he and his wife were the wrong 'target' since he does not raise cows and goats; instead it belongs to a relative who is also a neighbour of his house.

"My wife, who was in the next room, was taken to the front room of the house.

"However, she was not tied up, but was instructed not to make any noise while they combed the house.

"There was a locked room door that was broken open using a gas barrel, and our son's valuables were taken away, including his wife's cash amounting to RM6,500 and jewellery in the form of rings and necklaces worth about RM26,000," he said.

Once all the robbers fled at about 4am, Saedin managed to drive the car accompanied by his wife to his second son's house in Taman Wira Jaya located two kilometres from his house.

Saedin sought further treatment at Tuanku Ampuan Najihah Hospital (HTAN) Kuala Pilah and was thankful that he had no broken limbs other than his skull suffering from a crack in the forehead.

However, Saedin said he was informed by the medical officer that his limbs were bruised, especially his right leg, suspected to have been hit approximately 14 times with a blunt object.

A police report was made on the same day at about 8.13am at the Melang police station.

Meanwhile, Kuala Pilah district police chief Superintendent Amran Mohd Ghani confirmed the incident and the case is still under police investigation.