News of the death of cosmetics millionaire Sosilawati Lawiya, 47, has shocked residents of the village of her birth, Kampung Seri Menanti, Sri Medan, near Batu Pahat.

Her death is seen as a big loss as Sosilawati was known for her kind and charitable ways.

"This is a big loss as she always assisted anyone in need, for example, flood victims or schools," said village headman, Omar Salleh, when met by reporters today.

The villagers he said, had already planned a solat hajat to pray for her well being and safe return.

Omar, 63, also described Sosilawati as an approachable person and described what happened to her as being the will of God.

Bazli Ibrahim, 35, who shared in the sorrow of her tragic demise said she  always had an open house on the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri for the villagers.

Another resident, Siti Aminah Md. Mukri, 27, when met said Sosilawati's determination in building the Nouvelles Visage cosmetics empire made her a source of admiration among the residents.

She also praised her noble character, saying Sosilawati was never proud despite her success.

No one at her mother’s house  

A visit to the home of Sosilawati's mother, Yatimi Abdul Rahman, 80 at the village found it all locked up.

It is understood Yatimi and other family members had already left yesterday for Kuala Lumpur.

Police today confirmed that Sosilawati and three others, her driver Kamaruddin Shamsudin, CIMB Kampong Baru bank officer Noorhisham Mohammad and personal lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim were dead.

Their bodies had been burnt before the ashes were thrown into a nearby river near Ladang Gadong, Tanjong Sepat in Banting, Selangor.

A lawyer with a ‘datuk’ title and his brother as well as six oil palm workers have been detained in connection with the case.

Marine police comb river for evidence     

 

Meanwhile, divers from the Marine police today combed Sungai Panchau in Kampung Kanchong Laut, Banting in search of evidence.    

Bernama 's visit to the site, situated along the main Banting-Tanjung Sepat trunk road, spotted policemen inspecting what looked like a bone while identification markings were later placed on the item found.    

However, since the media were not allowed to go near the cordoned area, reporters were not able to picture clearly what the other items were.    

Bukit Aman CID director Mohd Bakri Zinin had said that suspects arrested by police admitted they took the victims to the four-hectare plantation, bludgeoned them to death and burned their bodies.    

At about 6pm, curious onlookers had gathered about 600m from where the alleged incident took place, but police later managed to disperse the crowd, allowing only the media to remain.    

Meanwhile, in Masjid Tanah, Melaka, Deputy Home Minister Abu Seman when met at his Hari Raya open house deemed the gruesome murder as a tragic incident.    

"The gruesome murder of Sosilawati and three others is a brutal act. Such an inhuman act should not happen," said Abu Seman who also urged the public with information to come forward and help the police.    

- Bernama