Charred remains of man identified as that of a 'Datuk Seri'

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The burnt body of a man found in Lumut, Perak, last Friday has been claimed by the family of a businessman with a "Datuk Seri" title early today morning.

It is learned a male family member of the businessman claimed the body about 7am from the Ipoh Hospital mortuary.

It is learned the identity of the body was established via dental records pending the results of a DNA test.

The body was immediately taken from Ipoh to a crematorium in Berapit near here where a Taoist priest conducted funeral rites.

About 15 family members, wearing facemasks and dark glasses, attended the 1.30pm ceremony.

All of them left the crematorium without speaking to members of the media after the coffin entered the cremation chamber.

Attempts to contact Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi were not successful while texts were not returned at time of writing.

The family of a businessman lodged a police report after they could not contact him since last week.

On Jan 16, the burnt body of a man was reportedly found by hunters about 4.30pm at Lumut in Perak.

A DNA test is currently being conducted to identify the body with results expected in the coming days.