KUCHING, 23 May – A stolen motorcycle case has been solved following the arrest of two Indonesian men who unknowingly bought the vehicle. Their cooperation helped police catch the mastermind behind the sale.
Kota Samarahan District Police Chief, Superintendent Damaterius Lautin, said the two foreign nationals were arrested around 1.45 pm yesterday in front of a supermarket in Batu Kawa. The motorcycle in their possession had been reported stolen in April this year.
Both men, aged 31 and 35, hail from Madura, Indonesia, and work as construction workers in Kuching. Police said they are living in a shared house near the MJC construction site and possess valid passports and work permits. Neither has a criminal record.
During interrogation, one of the suspects revealed that he had seen an online advertisement for a bicycle on Facebook. After contacting the seller, he was informed the bicycle was no longer available. Instead, the seller offered him a red and black Yamaha motorcycle with the registration number QAA8235P.
The suspect claimed he paid a RM250 deposit and had been using the motorcycle without knowing it was stolen. His friend, who was with him during the purchase, denied being involved in the transaction.
Thanks to the information shared by the two men, police managed to trace and arrest the main suspect, identified only as Lee. He is now being investigated under Sections 379A and 414 of the Penal Code for motorcycle theft and dishonestly receiving stolen property.
Damaterius confirmed that the two Indonesians will be treated as prosecution witnesses in the ongoing case.
Police urge the public to be cautious when buying second-hand vehicles online and to verify their status with JPJ or the police before completing any transactions.
