In the 6.30am incident today, the suspect had allegedly used a sharp object to slash the throats of an elderly couple – Hassan A. Wahab, 70 and Mariah Baharom, 62. The third deceased was the couple’s 22-year-old son Taufik Hassan, according to news reports.
The couple’s two daughters, Noraslinda, 27, and Noraqida, 24, were critically injured in the attack, while the family’s 80-year-old matriarch also suffered some injuries.
All the victims were said to have been attacked while they were asleep in separate rooms.
Mariah is the Tangga Batu Wanita Umno permanent chairman.
The 26-year-old attacker, who has previous drug-related records, is believed to be a family member.
Shocked family members and neighbours converged outside the house after the incident, but police have since cordoned off the area to facilitate investigations and to allow the forensic team to comb for evidence.
The suspect fled the scene after the attack but was arrested at the compound of the Bukit Rambai mosque, several kilometres away, at about 11am.