KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — As police were investigating a possible link between the discovery of a badly burnt car at an oil palm plantation in Hutan Melintang, Perak, yesterday and missing deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Anthony Kevin Morais, witness accounts emerged that large vehicles were roaring in the area shortly before an explosion was heard.
Sungai Samak plantation workers told Malay Mail three cars sped on a narrow road at about 100km/h, honking and flashing high-beam lights.
They informed police about the unusual occurrence at the Sungai Samak plantation, 149km from Kuala Lumpur.
Perak police chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, said it was premature to determine if the car set ablaze belonged to Morais.
The model is unknown as its chassis and engine number were filed off making it difficult to identify.
He said: “The forensic team has yet to confirm the car model as it was completely burnt. Initial investigations showed it resembles a Honda Accord or the new Proton Perdana but we need more time.”
Morais, a senior DPP formerly with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, drove a Proton Perdana which is a rebadged Honda Accord used by top government officials.
He was reportedly last seen leaving his condominium in Menara Duta 1, Dutamas in Segambut driving his Proton Perdana on Friday morning.
Mohd Shuhaily said the burning of the car, believed to have happened between 1am and 2am based on statements from witnesses, was well planned.
He said Morais was still classified missing person while the burning was listed under causing mischief by fire. The car was towed to the Hutan Melintang police station at about 4pm yesterday as K9 units combed the surrounding areas for remains.
The drama in Sungai Samak unfolded at about 10am after a worker alerted police to the charred car and the quiet settlement was disrupted by the presence of police and media.
Residents like Borhanudin Japar, 53, spoke of unusual activities in the wee hours of the morning.
He said: “I saw three big cars driving past my porch at about 1am as I was about to lock my house.
“They were going at about 100km/h, too fast for this narrow road. A few minutes later, one car returned speeding in the opposite direction.
“As it sped past my house, I heard a long honk.
“Moments later, there was a loud noise that sounded like an explosion.”
Fearing for his safety, he stayed in his house.
Sumardin Hasan Bardi, 69, said he was returning from an event in Pasir Salak when he came across two cars around the same time Borhanudin had spotted the vehicles.
“As I was nearing my house about 1am, two cars on the main road were tailing me. I couldn’t identify what models they were, but one was red.One had the high-beam lights on and the reflection was blinding. I was nervous and drove faster,” he said.
Sumardin said no one would speed on the road that was uneven and pothole-riddled.
Meanwhile, a security guard at Morais’s condominium said the lawyer’s housemate was seen leaving the place early yesterday morning and that a police team spent at least one hour at his unit.
It is learnt Morais lived in the condominium for two years with a male housemate.
Residents at Lim Garden, Ipoh, where Morais had a family home, said the house was sold about a decade ago after his parents died. Morais and his siblings then left Ipoh for good.
MALAY MAIL ONLINE
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