11-year-old boy brutally murdered by stepfather’s friend

LAHAD DATU - An 11-year-old boy died after he was slashed by his stepfather’s friend in an incident at Felda Sahabat 30 workers' quarters today.

The victim was found covered in blood in the house's yard with wounds on his head and neck and his left hand was severed believed to be slashed using a machete.

Lahad Datu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Rohan Shah Ahmad said the victim was left with the suspect by both his parents who went to work at an oil palm plantation at around 7.30am.

"An investigation at the scene revealed that the victim's body was covered in blood, with slash wounds on the back and front of the head, the back of the neck and the victim’s left hand was severed.

"A team of police personnel from the Lahad Datu district police headquarters (IPD) Criminal Investigation Division was deployed to the scene to conduct an investigation," he said in a statement today.

Rohan said police were actively tracking down the suspect, who was also a foreigner and friend of the victim's stepfather.

"The suspect is identified as Paulus Poka Lolo, 33, a general labourer on the plantation and he resides in the Lestari Kampung Indera Bakti workers' quarters.

"The suspect has gone into hiding after the incident and the motive for the murder is still unknown," he said.

He added that the victim's body has been taken to the Lahad Datu Hospital forensics department for a post-mortem.

"The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code and if found guilty, the offender could face the death penalty," he said.

Rohan asked for the public especially those around Felda Sahabat who have information about the suspect to come forward.

"The public can report it immediately to the nearest police station or contact the Lahad Datu IPD Criminal Investigation Division chief Assistant Superintendent Kharuddin Husain at 013-9071709," he said.