JOHOR BARU: The woman who allegedly murdered her one-year-old son by slitting his throat was seen acting oddly prior to the tragedy that struck the young family.
According to a relative who declined to be named, both the woman and her husband really loved their only child.
“The victim had just started learning to walk and could utter a few words. He was an active child and his presence made their married life more perfect.
“They have been married since December 2021, but they have known each other since their secondary school days,” he said when met at the family’s house in Taman Cahaya Masai here yesterday.The relative added that the family was still in shock over what had happened to the 32-year-old woman and her son in the incident on Saturday.
“She and her husband really love one another and their relationship was normal. They would travel to their village in Segamat almost every weekend and would bring their son along.
“However, on their last trip home on the eve of Ramadan, the husband told me that his wife had been acting strange lately where she would just be quiet and keep things to herself,” he said.
The relative added that the toddler’s body would be brought back to the mother’s village for burial.
Meanwhile, a neighbour who wanted to be known only as Siti claimed she saw the suspect sitting in front of her child’s dead body without any emotion.
“I was at home when one of our neighbours called out for me and told me to go to the suspect’s house immediately. When I went inside the house, I saw the suspect sitting in front of her child’s body, with so much blood on the floor.
“I tried calling out to her but she was in a daze and only stared without any emotion,” said Siti, adding that the victim was also very close to her two young children.
Another neighbour, who wished to be known only as Ali, said both the suspect and her husband were very friendly with their neighbours.
He added that the family was very active in community activities in the neighbourhood such as gotong-royong or doing large cookouts.
“In the afternoon, both the suspect and her husband would bring their son out for a walk and they looked like a happy family.
“In fact, on Friday evening, they even gave out doughnuts to neighbours including myself for breaking fast. We are really puzzled by what has happened now,” he said.
Johor police chief Comm M. Kumar said the mother had been placed under remand until March 23 to assist with the investigation classified under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
“Police have also seized a knife at the scene allegedly used by the suspect to slit the victim’s throat.
“Early investigations found that the suspect had sent a picture of the deceased covered in blood at his neck area to her husband via WhatsApp,” he said.
Comm Kumar also said the motive and cause of death were still being investigated and the public should refrain from making any speculations that could affect police investigations.
He urged those with information on the case to contact the Johor police hotline at 019-279 2095 or 07-221 2999.
Those suffering from mental health issues or contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim’s Family, Social and Community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929, go to www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my.
