BATU PAHAT, MALAYSIA: A factory worker forced his wife to consume rat poison before doing the same after his company questioned him over RM13,000(S$5466.5) allegedly found missing.

The man, in his 30s, was said to have threatened to hurt his two sons aged eight and 10, if his wife did not comply with his demands at their home here at about 11pm last Thursday.

He had allegedly planned to commit suicide and wanted his wife, who is in her 20s, to do the same as he was depressed over the scandal at his workplace.

The couple fell unconscious after eating the poison.

Their sons then asked for help from their neighbours who alerted the police and called for an ambulance.

Batu Pahat OCPD Asst Comm Ibrahim Aris said the couple was warded at the Batu Pahat Hospital.

The two young brothers were not hurt.

Police have classified the case as attempted suicide and attempted murder.

ACP Ibrahim said police would detain the man as soon as doctors allow him to leave the hospital.

So far, the man's employer has not made a report about the alleged embezzlement, he added.