SEGAMAT: A 39-year old butcher was slashed to death by a parang-wielding attacker in a gruesome murder that occurred at his roadside stall in Felda Chemplak near here early today.
Ahmad Radzi Jamaludin had his throat and left arm slashed in the 7.30am incident that happened a day before Hari Raya Aidiladha.
Radzi was believed to have been busy cutting meat and entertaining a few customers when a man on a motorcycle came over and attacked him at the stall.
Villagers helped to send Radzi to a nearby health clinic but he died on the way.
Segamat district police chief Superintendent Raub Selamat said police had detained a 45-year-old man in Labis who was believed to be the attacker.
"Initial police investigation revealed that the suspect is a villager in Felda Chemplak. The motive for the attack is still being investigated," he said.
He said police retrieved a long-edge parang (machete) measuring 95cm long believed to be the murder weapon.
The case wsa being investigated for murder.
Meanwhile, Radzi's sister, Shabariah Jamaludin, 33, said her brother woke up early to prepare cut meat for his customers as he knew people would come in droves a day before Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration.
"I was told that the man suddenly attacked my brother before speeding off leaving my brother drenched in blood and fighting for his life.
"This truly is a sad day as it happened just before Hari Raya.
"My brother is a seasonal butcher. Every festive season, he will be selling meat for the occasion," said Shabariah, adding that her brother left a wife and three children.
She said Radzi was friendly with his customers and did not hold animosity with anyone in the village.
"He was a humble person and a butcher who would give discount prices of the meat he sold, as long as his customers get the best cut," Shabariah said.