Cops want Ambank founder's son back in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohmad Salleh wants Pascal Najadi, son of slain Ambank founder Hussain Ahmad, to return to Malaysia and assist in investigations over the assassination of his father.

"Come back to Malaysia and cooperate with the police so that we can know what really happened.

"See us, and let us interview him to assist the police in solving his father's death," he told journalists after a walkabout at Masjid India last night.

Mohmad (left) was responding to a query fromMalaysiakini onPascal's denial that his father's death had something to do with a land deal that had gone awry.

"There was no property deal-turned-sour in my father's murder as our company is not involved in such business," he was quoted as saying by Bernama on Thursday.

However, Mahmod said Pascal is not in Malaysia and may not be abreast on matters.

"He's making denials overseas. He is not in Malaysia but in Russia. Denials in the newspapers do not carry weight.

"Denials will not solve this case," he said, reiterating that the Arab Investments for Asia Kuwait Limited (AIAK) Group deputy chairperson should return to Malaysia.

On Monday, Hussain (left), 75, was gunned down while his wife, Chong Mei Kuen, 49, was injured when they were shot at close range at a parking lot after coming out of the Kuan Yin Temple at Lorong Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur.

Pascal had said he will not return to Malaysia until his father's killer is captured, citing safety concerns.

'Suspect still in the country'

Providing an update on the case, Mohmad said the primary suspect, whose Cantonese nickname is Sei Ngan Chai (Four-eyed Boy), is still believed to be in the country.

However, he said that there had not been any new or meaningful information provided by the public and urged more people to come forward.

"We are trying to trace him from all sources, including his friends, family and neighbours," he said, adding that he lived "somewhere in Kuala Lumpur" but declined to give specifics.

He added that the taxi driver who helped the suspected killer escape is still under remand.
"We are confident that we can solve this case shortly," he said.

On a related matter, Mohmad said the police are ramping up intelligence gathering by its special task force which specialises in gun crimes.

"The police confiscate weapons nationwide almost on a daily basis but we are now instructing them to step up their intelligence effort to identify the shooters in such cases," he said.