Unemployed held after wife dies following fight

PADAWAN: Police arrested a man on suspicion of causing the death of his wife hours after a fight at their home in PPR Batu Gong, Siburan.

Padawan police chief Supt Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said they received a report regarding the death of the 43-year-old woman at about 10.10pm on Tuesday (Jan 23).

Her death was believed to be due to injuries sustained in an altercation on the same day.

“The 42-year-old suspect was arrested and will be remanded to facilitate investigations.

“The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder,” he said in a statement.

He stated that the victim, a confectionery seller, and the suspect, had been married for about three years but on Jan 8, the victim evicted the suspect out of their house.

Abang Zainal said the suspect came back on the pretext of wanting to take his clothes, which were still in their rented house.

“After the victim gave his clothes, the suspect stated that he wanted to talk to the victim before pushing her in the living room and slapping both her cheeks several times.

“The victim tried to resist him but the suspect strangled her neck with one hand and told her to be quiet.

“The suspect then fled the scene with his clothes and the victim sought help from her neighbour,” he said.

Thereafter, the victim returned to her family’s house in Kampung Panchor and at about 8pm, complained of pain in her ear, suddenly convulsed and collapsed into her sister’s arms.

He added that paramedics confirmed that the victim had died at the scene at 9.48pm.

According to Abang Zainal, the incident is believed to have stemmed from the victim evicting the suspect and demanding a divorce, given his year-long unemployment.

The suspect also consistently sought money from his wife but failed to contribute to her confectionery business, spending most of his time sleeping and eating instead.