Saturday May 11, 2013
Supervisor murdered while going to work
By DESIREE TRESA GASPER
[email protected]
Inconsolable: Parimala (second from left) crying over Thulukianam’s death.
JOHOR BARU: A 53-year-old cleaning supervisor was brutally murdered by a group of parang-wielding men here while on his way to work.
T. Thulukianam (pic), 53, had just left his home for work in Singapore at around 2.30am yesterday when he was ambushed by three men, who had hidden behind a tree near his home in Taman Skudai Baru here.
The victim was slashed multiple times on the head, hand and body but managed to drag himself home and seek help.
His 23-year-old daughter Parimala Dewi, who answered the door, screamed for help and drew the attention of neighbours, who called the police.
Thulukianam managed to relate the attack to Parimala, who lodged a police report over the incident.
Thulukianam was rushed to the Hospital Sultanah Aminah for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead at around 4.45am.
When met at the home, Parimala was too distraught to speak to reporters and only cried loudly when questioned about what she had witnessed.
A close relative said the family suspected that the attack was pre-planned as the victim had apparently been involved in a heated argument with his co-worker, who threatened to kill him about two weeks prior to the incident.
“We are not sure exactly what the argument was about but a female co-worker, who was accompanied by three men, came to the house and threatened to kill Thulukianam after he got into a heated argument with her,” he claimed.
He added that the family lodged a police report and hoped that the authorities would look into the case.
Johor Baru (North) OCPD Asst Comm Ruslan Hassan confirmed the case but said police were still determining the motive behind the murder.
“The victim’s bag, which had his passport, identification card and wallet, was stolen by the assailants but we are still investigating if the incident could be more than just a robbery,” he said, adding that no suspects had been arrested as yet.
Those with information can call the Johor police hotline at 07-221 2999 or visit the nearest police station.
