Three friends brutally killed - Chong Sai Keong, 17, Tai Shi Yong, 18 and Lan Lu Xuan, 20, were killed by a group of armed youth on motorcycles...

Three friends brutally killed

Villagers at the scene of the triple killings

What should have been Chinese New Year preparations for families of three friends in Paya Mengkuang, near Masjid Tanah in Malacca, have now turned into funeral arrangements after they were brutally killed.

Chong Sai Keong, 17, Tai Shi Yong, 18 and Lan Lu Xuan, 20, were killed by a group of armed youth on motorcycles at about 10.30pm on Friday, about 1.5km from their homes.

It is believed that the three, who were also on motorcycles, had been provoked by the group who led them to an ambush along Jalan Kampung Solok in Pengkalan Balak.

Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusof (left) comforting Tai Keng Yong whose 18-year-old son Tai Shi Yong was murdered along with his friends

They were killed shortly after residents in the tight-knit community had finished lighting up their town centre with lanterns for the coming festival.

A heartbroken Chong Kim Siak, 52, said he had earlier received a call that his son was involved in an accident.

"I was about to leave home when I received another call to say that he was killed in a fight. In the end, I didn’t go to the scene as I couldn’t bear to look at my son’s lifeless, bloodied body," he said, adding that Sai Keong was to have joined a wiring and air-conditioning course in a nearby community college after dropping out of school.

Tai Keng Yong, 55, said he rushed to the scene after receiving a call that his son was in an accident.

“It was then that I learnt my son was attacked by a group of youths. I rushed him to the Terendak Army Camp Hospital but it was too late,” he said, adding that Shi Yong had mobile phone shop in nearby Pengkalan Balak.

Lan Song Hing, 49, said his only son Lu Xuan, a mechanic, had earlier gone to play badminton and football with several friends.

“I never expected this to happen to him,” he said.

State Chief Police Officer SAC Datuk Chuah Ghee Lye said a 16-year-old youth was detained on Saturday and has been remanded for a week.

“We are investigating the motive of the attack,” he said.

Published Jan 22 2011