NO ESCAPE: Man on the run for 56 days caught in Taiping
KUALA LUMPUR: THE suspected hitman believed to be responsible for killing Arab-Malaysian Development Bank's first managing director Hussain Ahmad Najadi was arrested after being on the run for 56 days.
The 44-year-old man was nabbed in the Larut Tin Tambahan housing area in Taiping, Perak, yesterday. He was believed to have been harboured in the terrace house by two suspected gang members.
On July 29, Hussain, the first managing director and chief executive officer of the bank, was killed and his wife seriously injured when a gunman fired at him at close range at a car park near the Kuan Yin Temple in Lorong Ceylon here.
Following the incident, police picked up four suspects, including a taxi driver.
The 45-year-old taxi driver, who transported the killer, was later charged at the Sessions Court here for possession of a firearm.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the operation to nab the suspect, known in the underworld by his nickname "Sei Ngan Chai" (Cantonese for the spectacled guy), was undertaken by officers from the city police headquarters.
He said police traced the suspect's whereabouts thanks to tip-offs from the public.
"Following initial investigations, we identified the suspect who shot Hussain, and spread the information and his photograph to the public.
"This prompted concerned members of the public to contact us after learning that the suspect may be hiding in the location.
"A team from Kuala Lumpur police headquarters then raided the terrace house."
Khalid said initial investigations showed that the murderer was believed to be a triad member.
Police are also looking into where the firearm used to shoot Hussain had been dumped.
In Taiping, checks showed that the suspected hitman had made an old house in RKT Larut Tin Tambahan his hideout for the past month.
Neighbours said they never thought that they would be staying next to a suspected killer.
Police sources said the suspect was believed to have run out of money and food after having been in hiding for some time.
"We believe the suspect had asked his mother to bank in some money.
"During this time, a friend, who buys him food, also withdrew money from the bank account," the source said.
Initial investigations showed that the house was rented to a handphone shop owner, believed to be a friend of the suspect, for RM200 monthly.
