BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

POLICE have classified as murder the case of the woman who was reported missing at Taman Rekreasi Hutan Bukit Shahbandar on September 7 and found dead the next day.

The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) announced this yesterday during a press conference held at the Crime Investigation Department Headquarters on Jalan Ong Sum Ping.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mohd Irwan Hj Hambali, the acting director of Crime Investigation, said post-mortem indicated that the deceased was strangled to death. It also showed that traces of sexual assault were discovered on the victim identified as Chin Mei Fong.

Police said they believe that she died sometime between 4pm and 6pm on Sunday, and they classified the crime as murder under Section 302 of the penal code.

According to preliminary findings, a missing person report was filed around 8pm on Sunday and a search operation ensued, involving the Sengkurong Police Station, C Company of the Police Reserve Unit, Fire and Rescue and the Gurkha Reserve Unit.

ACP Mohd Irwan said, "Despite the bad weather, the search operation went on throughout the night and as dawn broke the following day, the dog unit picked up a scent that led to the discovery of a body of a woman at 6.15am."

The body, which was found in a ravine stretching 20m in depth, was dressed in a blue T-shirt, black shorts and black waist-pouch - the description matching that of the woman in the missing person report.

Superintendent of Police Hj Khairur Rijal Hj Abu Salim of the Special Investigation Unit said as the body was found lying in the ravine exposed to environmental factors, the case is still under "open investigation".

He said the RBPF had already taken statements from several witnesses, but no one has been arrested thus far.

Even the slightest information could be pertinent to the investigation, said Supt Hj Khairur Rijal. He urged anyone who had a clear sighting of the victim to come forward and provide assistance.

Since Bukit Shahbandar is now a crime scene, it is still closed to the public as we want to be comprehensive – not to leave anything out of our investigation, said Supt Hj Khairur Rijal.

Members of the public, especially women, were advised not to carry out any sporting activities alone and when out of their homes. They need to inform their family members on their whereabouts and to always have with them any communication devices for the ease of contact.

Those who have information relating to the case are advised to either contact Assistant Superintendent of Police Pg Hj Abu Naba’a Pg Hj Yusof at 2322004, 2322005 and 2322006, police hotline 993 or report to any nearby police stations.

The Brunei Times