Tangga Batu Wanita Umno permanent chairperson Mariah Baahrom, her husband and son were killed when their throats were slashed in what was described as an 'amok' incident.

The 62-year-old, her husband Hassan A Wahab, 70, and their son Taufik, 22, were found dead at Kampung Bertam Malim, Malacca, this morning, the New Straits Times Online reported.

The couple's daughters Noraslinda, 27, and Noraqida, 24, as well as an 80-year-old woman believed to be the matriarch of the family, were severely injured.

It is believed that the attacker is a family member, the daily reported.

The 26-year-old man fled the scene but was arrested at the compound of Masjid Bukit Rambai, several kilometres away, about 11am.

Police have classified the case as murder, Bernama reported.

Malacca police chief Ramli Din is quoted as saying that eight people live in the house and that one of them was away at work at the time of the attack.

Neighbours heard cries for help from the victims' home about 6.30am and alerted the police, the newswire reported.