‘Give my son justice’: Mother of S’porean, 32, killed in JB stabbing calls for thorough investigation
The mother of a 32-year-old Singaporean man who was fatally stabbed in Johor Bahru (JB) in March has called for a thorough investigation, saying she wants justice for her son.
Chia Hon Chung, 32, died after he was attacked with sharp weapons and stabbed in the neck by several individuals near a nightclub in JB’s Southkey area at around 5.30am on March 14.
Six suspects have been arrested in connection with the case. One of them, 25-year-old store supervisor Muhammad Arif Saiyadi, was charged with murder on March 31.
Police told The Straits Times that three Singaporean men aged between 23 and 29, as well as a 27-year-old woman, were arrested on March 19. Another suspect was earlier arrested on March 18 while attempting to flee to Singapore.
The sixth suspect, a 30-year-old man, was arrested in Singapore on March 25, Malaysian news outlet Bernama reported.
Family not yet informed of case details
When Shin Min Daily News visited Mr Chia’s Toa Payoh home on March 31, his mother, Madam Chia, said the news of his death came as a shock.
The 60-year-old part-time worker said her son’s friend had come to her home on the day of the incident to inform them of what had happened. She and her daughter then travelled to JB, but arrived to find his body.
She said his remains were repatriated to Singapore on March 17 and cremated the following day at Mandai Crematorium after a one-day wake.
Madam Chia added that she only learnt of the suspects’ arrests through media reports, and said Malaysian police have yet to provide the family with details of the case, including CCTV footage or updates on court proceedings.
“My son died in a tragic and unexplained way. We don’t know what happened,” she said. “We hope the relevant authorities will conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and give my son justice.”
‘Quiet and hardworking’
Madam Chia described her son as a quiet and hardworking person who rarely had disputes with anyone. He had been working at a warehouse in Pasir Panjang before his death.
“He is not the type to clash with others. Perhaps he befriended bad company which led to this dispute,” she said.
Mr Chia, who was single, lived with his parents. After his father suffered a stroke and developed mobility issues, he and his mother continued working to support the household.
His sudden death has left the family without a key source of financial support.
Madam Chia said her son had been in JB for three to four days before the incident, having taken a few days off from work.
“Before leaving, he told his dad he was going out. Who knew he would never come home?” she said.
Holding back tears, she added that she would always remind him to come home early whenever he went out.
Madam Chia said her grief was indescribable, adding that she had become a “white-haired person sending off a black-haired person”.
Nightclub altercation before attack
About an hour before the fatal stabbing, Mr Chia’s friend, Mohamad Adam Haikal Zakaria, 26, was punched in the eye by another man in the toilet of a night club.
The attacker, 33-year-old Shahid Nazareen Shah Phul Bahar Hussain, was charged under Malaysia’s Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt and fined RM1,700 (S$540).
Earlier reports by Shin Min said the murder occurred at Bayu Tasek Commercial Centre in JB’s Southkey district.
Mr Chia had reportedly arrived at Aston Club Southkey, a nightclub on the building’s third floor, with the suspects. The group began arguing after a few drinks and was asked to leave after the dispute escalated into a physical altercation.
The fight continued on the ground floor, and Mr Chia was later found collapsed in a pool of blood. He was taken to Hospital Sultan Ismail but died from his injuries.
The case will be mentioned again in court on June 3, pending toxicology, chemical and DNA reports.
Muhammad Arif was charged under Section 302 of Malaysia’s Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment of up to 40 years, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane if not sentenced to death, The Straits Times reported.
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