KUALA LUMPUR: A factory worker was brutally murdered near his home here in Kampung Melayu Sungai Buloh early yesterday in what police believe was a crime of passion.

Yap Voon Kiat, 21, was found at 4.20am lying in a pool of blood near Lot 123, Kampung Melayu Sungai Buloh, by a passerby who immediately alerted authorities.

The victim was found with the back of his skull smashed in and both his wrists almost severed. It is believed that Yap had been attacked about 3am and assaulted repeatedly with a sharp object.

A police source said Yap worked at a plastics factory in Sungai Buloh and checks revealed that he had been going out regularly with an Indonesian woman.

"Police have interviewed several of his friends and family members.

"It is learnt that the Indonesian woman whom the victim had been seeing is married," the source said.

"An office colleague of Yap confirmed that the Indonesian woman is also working at the same factory."

Police are now looking for the Indonesian woman and her husband to facilitate investigations.

Police are also appealing to the public to come forward and assist investigations.

Gombak police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Rahim Abdullah confirmed the incident.