Northeast district acting police chief Lee Swee Sake said the 32-year-old suspect was in stable condition after slashing and stabbing himself in the incident, Bernama reported.

“He is receiving treatment at Penang Hospital. Reports that the suspect had died are fake news. Police are waiting for the blood test results to find out if he was on drugs or otherwise,” he was quoted as saying.

Police were notified about a man seen carrying a knife in a suspicious manner at the apartment in Bandar Baru Farlim at 12.54pm yesterday.

They found the bodies of a 62-year-old man, his 30-year-old daughter and the suspect covered in blood on the floor of the apartment building lobby, near a lift. The father and daughter were confirmed dead at the scene.

A family member was quoted as saying the suspect was a distant relative who often came to the family home and had expressed affection for the woman.

“He is believed to have had feelings for the female victim and said to have known her daily routine,” said the family member when met at Penang Hospital.

The remains of the father and daughter will be buried at the Tanjong Tokong Muslim cemetery this evening.