JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: Police investigating a pre-dawn murder at a factory in Taman Kempas stumbled upon another body nearby.

The second body of an Indonesian, known only as Salimah, was found on a hillslope some 50m from the factory where its owner Loh Choon Kian, 35, died of multiple stab and slash wounds.

It is learnt, Salimah in her 30s, lived in a room at the factory.

Police have yet to ascertain the link between the deaths.

Johor acting CID chief Asst Comm Che Yusoff Che Ngah said police had carried out investigations into a murder incident at the premises following a report lodged at 5.10am yesterday.

"When we were searching for clues at the scene, we found the woman's body at about 9am."

"We are still investigating the motive for the murder. Nothing was missing from the scene," he said.

A neighbour, who declined to be named, said Lohs wife knocked on her door at about 4.30am, telling her that Loh was attacked.

"She said that she was scared to check and asked for my help.

"When we reached the factory, we saw Loh in a pool of blood and my husband immediately sent him to hospital but the doctor declared him dead."

She said Loh used to stay overnight at the factory while his wife and family lived elsewhere.

Loh's mother, when met at the mortuary of Sultanah Aminah Hospital, said her son was arranging some deliveries to customers at the factory when he was killed.

"I rushed down from Pontian after my daughter-in-law informed me of the murder."

She said Loh left behind a wife, who is five months' pregnant, and three children aged between five and 11.

Police urged those with information to contact the Johor police hotline at 07-221 2999. --THE STAR