An indigenous witch-doctor is believed to have killed his mother and injured two other women during a healing ritual in Malacca, police said today.

Dzulkarnain Abdul Rahman, a local police chief said a 27-year-old man was believed to be trying to cure his mother, Emah Bintong, 43, from an illness when he suddenly ran amok and slit her throat.

In the incident that happened late yesterday, two other women suffered injuries after being attacked, he was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

One of the two women - Sing Kee Moi, 45 - suffered serious head injuries after being slashed.

Intensive care

Sing, who is believed to be the aunt of the witch-doctor, had been placed under intensive care at a public hospital. The other woman escaped with light injuries and informed the police.

Dzulkarnain said police arrested the suspect in the house who later led a police team to a newly dug grave where he had buried his mother.

"The suspect said he buried his mother's body in the grave after completing the ritual," he said.

Dzulkarnain said the witch doctor faces a mandatory death penalty if found guilty. - AFP