The family of an alleged secret society leader, who was murdered at a petrol station in Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru last Sunday, performed a religious ritual at the scene to protect the soul of the deceased.

The 40-minute ceremony began at 4.49pm with two monks performing the rites.

Also taking part in the ritual were two women believed to be the victim's wife and friend.

Several police and media personnel were at the location since 3.30 pm to ensure security and to cover the ceremony, respectively.

The Chinese community believe that such rituals are important as the souls of those who died tragic deaths, such as in suicide and murder cases, will wander around other areas after the incident, and that they need to be called back to where they belong to ensure that the spirits are at peace.

Meanwhile, several members of the victim's family were seen to be busy preparing for the last rites at the Nirvana Memorial Centre in Jalan Gelang Patah-Skudai this morning.

The media personnel who came to speak to the family members were barred from approaching the venue of the ceremony.

It was learnt that the remains of the victim would be buried at a memorial park in Malacca this Thursday.

In the incident, four men attacked and stabbed the victim, in his 30s, while he was inflating the tyres of his car at the petrol station.

The man was with a foreign woman in her 20s, believed to be his wife, during the attack.

The victim was reported to have managed to escape briefly, but the suspects later boarded their car and ran over the victim before making their escape.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today confirmed that the murder was due to a dispute between two triads.

- Bernama