Penang Police Hunt Myanmar Suspect in Simpang Ampat Murder

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Police in Penang are intensifying efforts to locate a Myanmar national believed to be the main suspect in the fatal stabbing of a fellow countryman in Simpang Ampat earlier this month.

Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail confirmed that authorities have identified the suspect, a man in his 30s, and believe he is still in Malaysia, as there is no record of him leaving the country.

“The manhunt for the main suspect is ongoing. Meanwhile, three individuals—two men and a woman—who were detained a day after the incident will be released on police bail,” he said on Sunday (April 19).

The three, aged between 37 and 38, had been remanded for seven days until April 13, with their detention later extended by another week to assist in investigations.

Police have urged anyone with information about the suspect to come forward and contact the nearest police station.

The incident occurred on April 5 at Lorong IKS Juru 5 in Simpang Ampat, where a 53-year-old Myanmar factory worker was found dead by the roadside with stab wounds to his ribs. Authorities believe the victim was attacked by an acquaintance of the same nationality.

Investigators revealed that the suspect had allegedly informed a friend about the incident, who later alerted police at around 10:50pm. The two male detainees are said to be acquaintances of the suspect, while the woman is believed to be his girlfriend.

Police continue to investigate the case and are working to bring the suspect into custody.