JOHOR BAHRU:The body of a man found buried in an oil palm plantation at Mile 26, Jalan Kahang-Mersing, near Kluang on Oct 17, likely belongs to a  police retiree who has been reported missing since Aug 31.

State police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the body was discovered following the arrest of two suspects, aged 37 and 41, on Oct 16.

He said police investigations found the 57-year-old retired special branch officer from the Kluang branch was believed to be murdered by his close friend who is one of the two suspects, about 20 km from where the former was reported missing.

"The fire and rescue department also found the victim's motorcycle dumped in a river on Oct 18, about 2 km from the (coconut) plantation,” he told reporters here yesterday.

"The police found the body in a decomposed state but the victim's next-of-kin identified the body based on the clothes he had worn when he went missing,” he said, adding the police were still waiting for the DNA test results for confirmation.

Ayob Khan said based on the four wounds found on the victim’s head, police believe the victim was murdered using a blunt object at a workshop belonging to the primary suspect's brother, who runs a car tyre shop.

"The victim, who was a long-time acquaintance of the suspect, had loaned the latter some money to help in his business. However, when he met the suspect to seek the money back on Aug 31, an argument ensued, causing the death of the victim,” he said, adding the victim had loaned money to the suspect several times.

Ayob Khan said both suspects in the case were being remanded under Section 302 of the Penal Code to assist the investigation.

Members of the public with information on the incident are advised to contact the investigating officer ASP K. Karthiggaibalan at ‪019-5777221‬ or head to the nearest police station.

-- BERNAMA