KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 ― Tangga Batu Wanita Umno permanent chairman Mariah Baharom, 62, her husband Hassan A Wahab, 70 and their 22-year-old son Taufik Hassan were slaughtered by a man who ran amok at their home in Kampung Bertam Malim, Malacca early this morning.

Several news outlets spelt the Umno politician’s name as Mariah Baharin and Maria Bahrin. Malay Mail Online is waiting for verification.

The New Straits Times reported that three other occupants of the house, including the couple’s two adult daughters Noraslinda, 27, and Noraqida, 24, and an 80-year-old woman survived the 6.30am attack, though they sustained serious injuries.

The trio have been taken to the Melaka Hospital for treatment.

The attacker is said to be a relative, the daily added, though it provided no source for the information.

Police have cordoned off the house for investigations. A forensics team is on the scene to collect evidence while a crowd has formed outside the house, spilling onto the street, some were reported to be in tears.

National news agency Bernama reported a neighbour Norashikin Mohd Arifin, 30, saying she had heard screams for help at about 6.30.

She related that she called another neighbour to check on the source of the screams before calling the police.

“That family does not have problems with neighbours, they are friendly to everyone,” she was quoted saying.

Malacca police chief Datuk Ramli Din told reporters at the crime scene that the case is being investigated for murder under Section 203 of the Penal Code, which carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

He said police have nabbed a 26-year-old man found at the Masjid Bukit Rambai at about 11am suspected of perpetrating the attack.

He added that the detainee has a history of drug addiction and that the police are investigating if there is a link between his narcotic consumption and the attack.

He also said the house was occupied by eight people, but one of them was away working and so, escaped unscathed.

Malay daily Sinar Harian reported Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and federal Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar were also at the scene.

“Tan Sri Noh Omar and I rushed off to Bertam when we received the sad news of the Puan Mariah's death,” Idris was quoted saying on his Facebook post in an immediate response.

“I am saddened by this news and have asked the authorities to investigate this immediately and bring the criminals responsible to face justice.”