PETALING JAYA: There was a sombre mood at the family home of former Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) serviceman Asok Kumar Koyamboo, who was found hanged at the Kota Darul Ehsan arch, as loved ones paid their last respects.
He was said to be a notorious underworld figure who was better known as “Old Klang Road Asok”.
About 50 airmen joined some 250 people at his home near Old Klang Road to say goodbye to the air force veteran of 13 years.
His former colleagues and friends remembered Asok Kumar as a tough, sporty figure, whose strength was unmatched.
But they also said beneath that muscular exterior was a gentle giant.
“He did a lot of sports in the air force, none of us could beat him. He was into hockey, football, cricket, boxing and cross country.
“He ran so fast, he would just stand there and laugh at us trying to catch up,” said his old colleague A. Siva, 60, a former warrant officer.
Asok Kumar, a retired corporal, joined RMAF in 1981 and trained at its Ipoh recruitment centre.
He served in the engineering division throughout his career, though colleagues said that it was his gift in sports that propelled him in the air force.
Also at the funeral was MIC central committee member S. Vell Paari.
He said the deceased had been involved with the party in planting greenery at a Buddhist temple here.
“I just saw him last week and he talked to me about setting up the nursery and how he was going to plant weeping willows. The pots are all still there! All this is still a shock to me,” he said.
He described Asok Kumar as a person who would “stand with you no matter what”.
According to sources, Asok Kumar was involved in the underworld but had given it up a few years ago.
“He was banished from Selangor during his underworld days and worked in Malacca before coming back,” said the source.
It is believed that he owned a pub in Jalan Klang Lama and was involved in several businesses before taking his own life.
Asok Kumar, 53 was found hanged about 30m from the ground on the Federal Highway arch, on Sunday morning.
Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Sharul Othman Mansor said police found no element of foul play in the death.
The motive is still being investigated.
Asok Kumar’s body was cremated and interred at the Sentul Crematorium at about 3pm yesterday.
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21, 2015:
For many he was a friend, and to some he was a foe, for he always sent a loud and clear signal that he tolerated no nonsense.
And those who appreciated his friendship and were indebted to Asok Kumar Koyamboo, popularly known as Old Klang Road Asok, for the advice he provided, they came out in droves to pay their respects.
These included cops, lawyers, doctors and businessmen who were still reeling with disbelief over events which unfolded over the past 24 hours.
Just before dawn yesterday, the 53-year-old was found hanging from a scaffolding at the Kota Darul Ehsan arch along the Federal Highway.
“Who would have thought his life would end in such a manner,” one lawyer said when met at the crematorium.
“It is almost reminiscent of the Roberto Calvi mystery in London in 1982.”
(Calvi’s death was described to be one of London’s mystery as he was found hanging from a scaffolding beneath the Blackfriar’s bridge. Initially classified as suicide, a coroner’s inquest later ruled his death to be murder.)
“We are told police have ruled out foul play, but it still begs the answer what drove him to it,” another lawyer told The Rakyat Post.
Asok was found clad only in a pair of knee length yellow shorts and had a tilaka marking on the forehead between the eyebrows. (The forehead marking is applied for religious or spiritual reasons).
Many believe Asok turned over a new leaf and turned to religion to seek solace and inner peace, frequently making pilgrimages to India.
“He survived a horrific crash which left him near death, escaped unscathed following numerous motorcycle falls as he had a penchant for superbikes, and he had even dodged bullets,” a friend disclosed.
Relating Asok’s close call experiences, the friend recalled how Asok had a penchant for life on the fast lane and nightlife.
It was during one of his night outings when he had an encounter with then notorious criminal Bentong Kali (now deceased), who expressed his disgust that Asok had not extended courtesy to him.
“Asok knew the individual by reputation and excused himself without drawing attention.
“That did not go down well with Bentong Kali, who then vowed he would get even with Asok.”
Asok got wind that he was sought after when Bentong Kali and his henchmen turned up at a club in SS2 Petaling Jaya.
It was a club frequented by Asok as his fellow Air Force buddy and boxing sparring partner, nicknamed Joe, oversaw security at the premises.
Kali confronted Joe and demanded to know Asok’s whereabouts. Seeing Bentong Kali draw his pistol, Joe made a dash for the elevator, but was brought down in a hail of gunfire.
Joe survived the shooting and was wheelchair-bound after he suffered loss of mobility and irreversible brain damage.
Several months after that incident, during the wee hours of June 29, 1993, Bentong Kali and his henchmen turned up at a mamak stall, off Jalan Klang Lama, that was frequented by Asok.
Eyewitnesses told police Bentong Kali confronted the operator asking if Asok had turned up.
When an elderly man replied in the negative, Bentong Kali fatally shot him and the incident sent other late night patrons scurrying for cover.
Shortly after, Bentong Kali and his henchmen turned up at a double storey terrace house hideout in Medan Damansara, where a police party set up an ambush.
A shootout ensued which left the henchmen dead in an upper room, while Bentong Kali was shot by a sniper as he was making his getaway over a balcony.
“When Asok learnt what had happened, he went for a pilgrimage…,” the friend narrated.
Asok’s life did not go without incidents as he had been taken into custody on numerous occasions and held at the Simpang Renggam detention centre.
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