MUAR – A motoring influencer who was believed to have gone missing after allegedly driving into Sungai Tui, Jalan Bukit Kepong, is now suspected of faking the incident and fleeing to a neighbouring country.
District police chief ACP Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said investigations revealed that the 38-year-old suspect, Tengku Nizaruddin Tengku Zainudin – also known as Ija – had staged the disappearance with help from his younger brother, Bernama reported.
The suspect’s brother, Tengku Abd Aziz, 30, had earlier lodged a police report at the Lenga Police Station, claiming that his sibling vanished while en route to Muar to repair a vehicle.
“A search and rescue operation was launched after the case was classified as a missing person. However, further investigation raised doubts about the report, and police believe the disappearance was fabricated.
“Investigations also revealed that the suspect had submerged his wife’s Perodua Axia in the river before fleeing to a neighbouring country. His brother later admitted to being complicit and pretending to help with the search,” he said in a statement today.
Raiz Mukhliz added that both men have had their statements recorded, and further investigation will proceed once police obtain an Order to Investigate (OTI) from the deputy public prosecutor.
The case is being investigated under Section 182 of the Penal Code for providing false information and Section 109 for abetment.
Earlier reports indicated that the suspect, a businessman and owner of a vehicle accessories shop, had allegedly gone missing after the car he was driving was believed to have plunged into the river. – July 19, 2025