Yet another cold-blooded killing in Malaysia
Policemen collecting evidences at the scene of the shooting in Kota Kinabalu.
Muguntan Vanar
The Star/Asia News Network
Monday, Aug 05, 2013
KOTA KINABALU - Resort developer Tiong Choon Kwong was answering the phone at the bustling Beverly Hills commercial complex near here when he was gunned down at close range - with a shotgun. Shocked, he shouted "I have been shot" to his friend who was having a drink in a restaurant and then collapsed in a pool of blood.
The 44-year-old Sarawakian, who was developing a resort at Dinawan Island off Papar, was talking on his handphone outside a 24-hour coffeeshop at around 10.30pm on Saturday when he was shot in the abdomen at close range. The gunman fled in a white car.
A friend, identified only as Ting, rushed the father of two to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital with the help of police personnel, but Tiong died barely two hours later.
There could be more to the cold-blooded killing.
Tiong is said to be a former Restricted Residence detainee who served his time in Sabah's east coast Kunak district some years ago and only started his business about two years ago. His wife and two children are believed to be living in Sarawak although they come to Sabah often to visit him.
Some of his friends in Sabah believe he may have been the victim of a hit ordered by underworld kingpins in Sabah or Sarawak.
Ting, 44, said they were having a drink at the coffeeshop when Tiong suddenly left the table to take a call on his handphone.
"He was walking up and down in front of the shop while talking. So, I continued with my drink while waiting for him to come back. Suddenly, I heard a single loud gunshot and then I heard Tiong shouting that he had been shot," he said when met outside the hospital's emergency unit here.
