ALOR STAR: Police have not ruled out foul play in the disappearance of 37-year-old restaurant helper Siti Rohani Saad, who was reported missing early this month.
Kota Setar district acting police chief Superintendent Syed Basri Syed Ali said the case was being investigated from all possible angles, but abduction had been ruled out as a potential motive.
"We are also investigating financial transactions, including cash withdrawals from her account, made before her disappearance.
"If this is an abduction, there might be a ransom demand, but so far, her family has not received any such requests," he told reporters.
He added that police were still investigating the case despite the search and rescue operation to locate the woman having been discontinued three days after she was reported missing.
"We have recorded statements from eight individuals, including her family, employer, and friends, to assist with the investigation," he said.
Syed Basri said the authorities are actively working to determine her whereabouts and urged anyone who has seen her to provide information to assist with the investigation.
He said police have distributed photos of Siti Rohani to raise public awareness and aid in the search.
It was reported earlier that Siti Rohani was feared drowned after her motorcycle was discovered near the banks of Sungai Titi Haji Idris, Kampung Alor Sekawan, on Nov 8.
The woman, who is unmarried, reportedly left her home in Kampung Kuala Lanjut, Pokok Sena, at 6am to head to her workplace in Jalan Pegawai here.
Her family subsequently lodged a police report regarding her disappearance, prompting a search operation along the river for three days.
However, the search was called off after no trace of her was found, though her family remains hopeful that Siti Rohani is safe and alive.