Police arrest two more men over Penang assault incident

The police have arrested two more men to assist the investigation into an incident here on Dec 2 where a group of men beat up and badly injured a man for having allegedly insulted businessman Datuk Ong Teik Kwang who was shot dead here a day earlier.

Penang Police Chief Datuk Abdul Ghafar Rajab said the two men, aged 31 and 35, were arrested separately in the state on Wednesday.

"Their remand ends today but the police will seek a court order tomorrow to extend it.

"Police are also looking for several more men who are believed to have been involved in the incident, and will prepare the investigation papers as soon as possible," he said to reporters.

Abdul Ghafar had earlier witnessed the handing over of duties of Penang Special Branch Chief by Datuk Yong Lei Choo to his successor SAC Abdul Wahid Abdul Ghafar.

Abdul Wahid, 59, was Penang Special Branch Deputy Chief (1). Yong, 55, has been promoted as Principal Assistant Director of Management (Personnel Records) in the Services/Personnel Division of the Management Department at Bukit Aman.

In the incident at about 5pm on Dec 2, a 47-year-old man was beaten up at the Khoo Kongsi Cemetery at Thean Teik Highway in Air Itam. He suffered bruises, swelling and wounds in the right eye, cheeks, nose, back and both hands.

Following the incident, the police arrested a 30-year-old man to assist the investigation. He was released on police bail on Wednesday.

On the shooting death of Ong, also known as Datuk M (M for 'Muda' or young), Abdul Ghafar said the police had recorded 23 statements from witnesses, victims and family members of those killed, and would call several more people to assist the investigation.

He said the police would complete the investigation papers soon and hand them over to the Public Prosecutor's Office to charge a 37-year-old bodyguard whose remand has been extended by seven days from yesterday.

"The ballistics tests conducted by the police on Wednesday at the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway have been sent to the Forensics Division at Bukit Aman for analysis. It may take some time to get the test results," he said.

Ong and two other men were killed at 7.15pm on Dec 1 at a point of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway after one of his bodyguards, believed to have mental problems, opened fire. -- BERNAMA