Temple murder suspect arrested

NUSAJAYA, Johor - The police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of a cattle breeder who was shot dead while praying at a temple in Gelang Patah on Friday evening.

Nusajaya police chief Superintendent Noor Hashim Mohamed said the suspect, who is in his 30s, was arrested on the same day of the shooting to help in the investigation.

In the 7.15 pm incident, K Jaganathan, 37, was performing special prayers at the Sri Mahariaman Hindu temple in Taman Nusantara with a group of 10 people, which included his wife and three children, when two men on a Yamaha LC motorcycle stopped at the temple and one of them fired several shots at him.

The victim, who was shot several times on his chest, was pronounced dead after he was rushed to a nearby clinic.

"We are currently on the hunt for the two suspects and other individuals that may be involved in the shooting.

"Initial investigation showed that the victim have several previous criminal records and was previously detained under the Emergency Ordinance at the Simpang Renggam Prison for two years," said Noor Hashim.

He said the police is currently investigating whether the incident is related to any gang rivalries.

"The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code," said Noor Hisham.