MALAYSIAN CONSULATE DRIVER MURDERED IN SYDNEY

MELBOURNE, Feb 22 (Bernama) – A Malaysian Consulate driver was stabbed and
bashed with a hammer in Sydney Sunday night.

Road rage is a possible motive for the vicious murder of the 43-year-old
Malay who had become an Australian citizen and had lived in Sydney for about
three years.

As he arrived at his home in Marion Street in Sydney's inner western suburb
of Leichhardt just after midnight today, witnesses saw two men chased the victim
across the road.

"We do believe that there may have been a traffic accident ... shortly
before the attack occurred," acting Superintendent Shayne Woolbank is quoted by
The Daily Telegraph as telling reporters at the scene this morning.

Asked if road rage was a motive for the attack, Supt Woolbank said: "It is
one of the possibilities".


The attackers were last seen fleeing the scene in a black sedan.
Emergency crews were called to help the man, who died despite the efforts of
police officers who performed CPR.

"At this stage, we believe he has sustained some stab wounds and also some
bruising and contusions," Supt Woolbank said.

Police confirmed that a hammer may have been used in the attack.
"It was a very ferocious attack, there is no doubt about that," Supt Woolbank
said.

Dr Mohd Nasir Abu Hassan, director of the Malaysian Students Department in
Australia, described the man as a "very dear colleague" who was unlikely to
get involved in fights.

The victim's name has not yet been released.

-- BERNAMA