GERIK: Police yesterday arrested a man for allegedly trying to kill his wife by pushing her into a ravine near Km31.2 of the East-West Highway between Gerik and Jeli on Saturday.
District police chief Superintendent Zulkifli Mahmood said police received information regarding the incident at 2pm the same day through a phone call from a member of the public who reported discovering a 32-year-old injured woman in the area.
He said initial investigations revealed that the 39-year-old suspect had taken her from Kuala Lumpur to Perak, claiming that they were returning to their hometown about 5.30pm on Friday.
Zulkifli said that later during the journey, an argument ensued between the couple, which escalated to the victim being assaulted and threatened with death by her husband.
"Throughout the journey, there were arguments between them. At night, upon reaching a certain location, the suspect stopped the car and threatened to kill the victim with a knife.
"However, the victim pleaded with her husband, before a struggle occurred in the car, where the husband choked the victim.
"The victim attempted to jump out of the car, but the suspect forced her back in and continued driving until they reached the East-West Highway area about 4 or 5am where yet another argument took place.
"The suspect then pulled the victim out of the car, leading to a fight and struggle on the roadside. The suspect then pushed the victim into the ravine," he said in a statement today.
Further investigations revealed that the victim managed to crawl back up to the roadside, where she was found by a passer-by who then contacted the police.
"The victim was subsequently taken by ambulance to the Emergency Unit of Gerik Hospital for initial treatment.
"Initial medical examinations revealed that the victim sustained scratches, cuts, and bruises on her body and is currently receiving treatment at Taiping Hospital," said Zulkifli.
He added that the suspect was apprehended yesterday by police from the Baling police headquarters in Kedah due to his involvement in a case under their jurisdiction.
"The suspect has several prior offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Minor Offences Act, and the Penal Code.
"Once the investigation in Baling is completed, the suspect will be re-arrested by Gerik police to complete the investigation under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder," he said.