Divers from the Marine police today combed Sungai Panchau in Kampung Kanchong Laut, Banting in search of evidence, believed to be related to the gruesome murder of cosmetics millionaire Sosilawati Lawiya, 47, and three others.    

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.    

Police today confirmed that Sosilawati, 47, her driver Kamaruddin Shamsudin, 44, CIMB Kampung Baru branch bank officer Noorhisham Mohammad, 38, and her personal lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32, were murdered, burnt and their ashes strewn into a river in Tanjong Sepat near Banting.     

Bukit Aman CID director Datuk Seri 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.    

The four were reported missing since Aug 30, after going to Banting, apparently for a land purchase deal.    

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