Tapah police chief Naim Asnawi said the suspects were arrested separately yesterday and today after police received a report from the victim’s sister-in-law at about 4.30am yesterday.

“The complainant said she was at the factory workers’ quarters at about 2.30am yesterday when she heard her husband arguing with one of the suspects about the 34-year-old victim, who was injured and struggling to breathe.

“The suspect struck the complainant’s husband on the head with a hammer, causing head injuries.

“The complainant and her husband rushed to Tapah Hospital to get treatment,” he said in a statement tonight.

Naim said that when the complainant and her husband returned to the workers’ quarters, they found the victim lying unresponsive outside the house.

Following the death, police arrested two foreigners, aged 28 and 37, who were factory workers staying at the quarters.

They also arrested two Malaysians, aged 33 and 44, believed to be the main suspects in the case.

Naim said a background check showed the two foreign suspects had no criminal records, while the two Malaysians had previous convictions for criminal and drug-related cases.

The two foreign suspects have been remanded for seven days to assist in the investigation. Police will seek a remand order for the other two at the Tapah magistrates’ court tomorrow.

Naim said the motive for the incident has yet to be determined.