According to sources, in statements given to police so far, the suspect, aged 37, had claimed that he was instigated by “voices” in his head to shoot his new boss.
The suspect, aged 37, was on his first day of employment as the bodyguard for the 32-year-old deceased, who is allegedly the leader of Gang 24, a crime gang involved in murder, extortion and drug trafficking which had been blacklisted by the home ministry three years ago.
Based on the statements and suspect’s history of mental illness, police are leaning towards the theory that the killing was not an act of pre-meditated murder, or the suspect being a hitman hired by Ong’s rivals, as speculated on social media.
“There is no doubt Ong was involved in gangland activities and investigators are looking at all angles to ascertain what had led to the killing. However, it is strongly believed that the suspect’s mental condition was the cause but police will seek a psychiatric evaluation to confirm this.
“It can be a deadly condition when a mentally unsound person is intoxicated. There are no indications so far of business rivalry or enmity with other underworld gangs as being the motive of the murder,” the source told the daily.
The suspect is said by sources to have “appeared horrified” after being told of what he had done, killing Ong and two passers-by as he was trying to shoot Ong’s driver who fled the scene.
According to theSun, witnesses had told police that earlier on Thursday night, Ong was at a pub drinking with his driver and new bodyguard (the suspect). Ong had reportedly allowed his driver not to drive the car and took the wheel when they left the premises.
An argument ensued shortly after and this was when the bodyguard is believed to have shot Ong, but the driver was able to flee despite being injured in the head after being pistol-whipped.
Meanwhile, police have confirmed that in 2011 Ong was among five suspects in a murder case, where a DVD seller was brutally slashed to death in a revenge attack.
Police also said the gang he allegedly led was said to be involved in loansharking activities and “extortion for protection” from business outlets in Penang, theSun reported.
The deceased was conferred his Datukship by the Pahang palace earlier this year.