In the incident at about 5.30pm, Lito Salibat, who was in his 30s, died due to severe injuries to his abdomen after being chopped with a parang.

The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

“Preliminary investigations showed that the victim was said to have often wasted water even though the plantation’s housing area suffers frequent water supply problems,” said Kinabatangan district police chief Dzulbaharin Ismail when contacted today.

“The neighbours became aware of the incident after the victim ran out of the house covered in blood.

“Witnesses also saw the suspect running out of the house but no one dared to stop him as he was holding a parang.”

Dzulbaharin said the victim was sent to the Kinabatangan hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead at 10pm.

He added that no arrests have been made thus far and efforts are now underway to track the suspect with the help of the Lahad Datu district police headquarters’ K9 unit.

Members of the public with information about the case can contact the investigating officer, Richarles Edward, at 089-561890 or 014-3217050.