KUBANG PASU: Residents of Kampung Empa near Sungai Padang Terap are shocked to find out that an abducted man has been tied up and thrown into the river from a bridge near their homes.
It is understood that 62-year-old retired financial officer Sabari Baharom was alive when he was thrown off the bridge by his kidnappers, and he is now believed to have drowned.
Nurzakina Saidin, 54, who lives just 30 metres from the site of the incident, expressed hope that authorities would find Sabari's body to provide closure for his family.
"I've been following updates on Sabari's disappearance on TikTok and was shocked when I was told he was thrown into the river just behind my house.
"But what the suspects did was cruel, throwing the victim straight into the river. I hope he is found, no matter the condition. It's heartbreaking for the family," she said today.
Nurzakina said the bridge connected Wang Tepus, Jitra, to Pokok Sena near here, and it served as a common route or detour during floods.
She said on the day of the incident, she did not hear or see anything unusual at the bridge.
"This is possibly because the incident happened early in the morning when residents were asleep.
"I only found out about the incident after being informed by fellow villagers on Sunday afternoon. That evening, I saw the police arriving with two men (suspects) believed to be involved in the case. They looked quite calm.
"I didn't dare go near, as the police didn't allow it for investigation purposes," she added.
She said although there had been two recent drowning incidents in the river, this was the first time a victim had been thrown into the water.
The search for Sabari had yet to yield any leads, despite rescue teams resuming efforts since 9am today.
Sabari's wife, Shubiah Roslina Shahibi, 57, was also at the scene following the search efforts.
On Sept 30, the case was reclassified as murder after two men, aged 26 and 38, were arrested after Sabari's abduction.
Kedah police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh reportedly said the suspects had admitted to binding and throwing him into the river.
A 62-year-old woman was also detained on Sept 24 to assist in the probe.
Sabari was last seen on Sept 3, leaving his home in Kampung Mengkuang Tengah, Baling, in a car.
The victim's family was shocked when they discovered money transfers being performed from Sabari's bank accounts in the days following his disappearance.
The burnt wreck of his car was later found in Belantik, Sik.