KOTA BARU, MALAYSIA: In a shocking development to the rape-cum-murder of a 17-year-old girl in Jeli last Saturday, police on Thursday arrested the victim's relative.

What is even more shocking is that the man is believed to have raped and murdered Nurul Anira Che Rosik simply because he wanted revenge against her mother for "repeatedly humiliating him in public".

Kelantan Criminal Investigation Department chief Assistant Commissioner Mazlan Lazim said the man, a 34-year-old carpenter, was constantly being humiliated by the girl's mother.

However, he declined to reveal details as to just what Nurul Anira's mother did to the carpenter that had driven him to do such a thing.

Mazlan said the man was among 10 villagers who were questioned by police on Thursday in connection with the case.

When it came to the carpenter's turn, he began to act suspiciously and looked nervous.

"He had a guilty look on his face. The investigator who was questioning him noticed this and immediately confronted him with some clues we had gathered at the scene of the crime.

"He was arrested immediately and we have since obtained a remand order to hold him for seven days," said Mazlan.

He said investigations revealed that the man, who lives about 6km from the victim's house, was familiar with the area where the girl's body was found.

Mazlan said the others who were questioned in connection with the case, comprising villagers and friends of Nurul Anira, were released after having their statements recorded.

"With the arrest, we believe our investigation into the case is about 90 per cent complete," he said.

Nurul Anira had gone missing last Saturday.

She had left her home in the morning for tuition at school and was supposed to return in the afternoon.

When she did not return by evening, her family became worried and lodged a police report.

A search party was organised but her body was only found the next day when a police tracker dog sniffed it out.

Her half-naked body, with her hands tied with her own tudung, was dug out of a mound in a rubber smallholding barely 500m from her house. A post-mortem examination later revealed she had been raped and then strangled to death.

Yesterday, Nurul Anira's family received a visit from Air Lanas assemblyman, who is also Member of Parliament for Jeli, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed.

"They must be patient and let the authorities do their job. Those responsible will be brought to justice," said the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister.

Nurul Anira's mother Rosnini Abdul Rahim said she was glad with the arrest of the man.

"I hope the beast will get his punishment for what he has done to my beloved daughter. If necessary, I want to see him and ask him why he had done such a cruel act to my innocent child," said the 44-year-old housewife.

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