ALOR STAR: Police have reclassified the missing persons case involving a retired financial officer from Baling as murder, following the arrests of two men suspected of being involved in his abduction.
Kedah police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh said the suspects, aged 26 and 38, admitted to murdering Sabari Baharom, 62, by throwing him into Sungai Padang Terap in Jitra with his hands bound and mouth taped.
"With this, the missing persons case is now reclassified as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code," he said in a statement today.
Fisol added that Sabari's body has yet to be found and the search is ongoing with assistance from various agencies.
"The police have kept the victim's family updated on the investigation's progress. We advise all parties not to speculate on the incident and to respect the family's privacy during this sensitive time."
He also urged the public to assist by providing any information related to the incident to the police.
On Sept 24, Fisol confirmed at a press conference that a 62-year-old woman had been detained to aid in the investigation into Sabari's disappearance.
Sabari, a former finance officer at a government agency, was reported missing on Sept 3 after leaving his home in Kampung Mengkuang Tengah, Kuala Pegang, Baling, in a Proton Waja.
His car was later found burned in Belantik, Sik, and there has been no trace of him since.
It was reported earlier that Sabari's family members suspected that he had been abducted, following several transfers of money to other people's bank accounts within two days of his disappearance.