MALACCA (Malaysia): A coffeeshop owner was found murdered while his car was burnt in an oil palm estate in Kampung Tambak Paya on Tuesday.

State Deputy CID chief Supt R. Gunarajan said the victim Soh Sin Seng, 55, who lived in Bachang, was tied up and left to die in his car after it was set on fire by unknown assailants.

"It is believed the victim managed to release himself and tried to make a break for it but was chased down by the suspects before being murdered," he told reporters at the crime scene.

Soh's body was found 30m away from his burnt Myvi vehicle with cuts on his head and stab wounds on his body.

Gunarajan said there were burnt marks on Soh's body and legs which were most likely sustained when he tried to escape the burning vehicle.

"The victim is believed to have been murdered 12 hours ago before his body was found by a plantation worker at 7.45am Tuesday.

"We believe there were three people involved in the murder and the motive is under investigation," Gunarajan said, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code.