Melaka: A decomposed body, believed to have been dead for between two weeks and a month, was found wrapped in a folded mattress inside a shophouse in Pokok Mangga here last night. Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the body, whose identity has yet to be established, was discovered after the owner of the premises inspected the property when he was unable to contact the tenant.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, upon entering the shophouse, the owner detected a foul smell and found a suspicious mattress bundle in the living room before alerting the police. Further inspection uncovered a badly decomposed body with both hands tied. Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar stated, "Based on the condition of the victim and the circumstances at the scene, we believe foul play was involved," during a press briefing at the Malim police station.

Dzulkhairi mentioned that preliminary investigations revealed that the two-storey shophouse had been rented by a woman as accommodation for her son. Police subsequently arrested a 40-year-old local man, believed to be the tenant's son, to assist in the investigation.

Authorities suspect a connection between the victim and the suspect, who tested positive for syabu and has seven previous criminal records. The suspect was reportedly in a drug-induced state at the time of arrest and has not cooperated with investigators. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.