Cops suspect contract killings in cousins’ deaths
BY SHARANPAL SINGH RANDHAWATHE STAR
KUALA TERENGGANU: In the space of exactly two months, two cousins have been gunned down, in apparent contract killings.
Mohd Jusoh Ali, a former teacher also known as “Cikgu Zaki”, was shot dead at long range in Kampung Padang Midin in Kuala Terengganu on Aug 9, about 7.15am.
His cousin, Alias Abdullah, was shot at close range on Friday – Oct 9 – at his house in Kampung Alor Limbang, after he returned from prayers.
Alias, a former Alor Limbat assemblyman and the legal adviser to Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, was shot by one of the two assailants on a black Honda EX-5, wearing full-faced helmets.
Mohd Jusoh, a building contractor, and Alias were both members of their village community development and security committee.
At a press conference yesterday, Terengganu police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Rosli Abdul Rahman said the two men were businessmen.
He said the killings were obviously committed by someone who was an expert in handling firearms as both victims were shot above the neck – one in the cheek (Alias) and the other in the head.
DCP Rosli said Alias’ killing was a well-executed plan, indicating a contract killing.
While he said investigations revealed Alias had financial debts, he did not say it was the motive for killing Alias.
“Everything is under investigation. We will investigate all areas, including the victim’s business standing, if this was a revenge, his financial debts and any link to the cases handled by the victim who was a lawyer and a former Deputy Public Prosecutor.
“No stone will be left unturned.”
Queried further about Alias’ debts, DCP Rosli would not say how bad they were save to say investigations were ongoing.
“It is still premature for us to say what could have triggered or contributed to his murder. However we have ruled out politics as the motive for his murder.
“This is a well-planned crime. We believe the assailants have been eyeing their target for some time and had visited the village a few times to get used to the roads.
“It is not easy for anyone who is unfamiliar with the area to easily escape after carrying out such a crime. The way they fled the scene showed that they were familiar with the village roads.”
DCP Rosli disclosed that police had found certain clues but refused to elaborate.
