KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Ministry has given its assurance that consular assistance is currently being provided to the family of Leong Kum Chuan.
Leong, 29, known as KC to his colleagues, was a pharmacist working in Melbourne, Australia. He was killed by a man suspected of suffering from schizophrenia.
In a brief advisory, Wisma Putra said it was aware of the tragic incident and appealed to the media to respect the family's privacy.
Australia's 7News network reported that Leong was found by a colleague at his townhouse in the Bellfield suburb near Ivanhoe, Melbourne, about 11.30am on Wednesday.
The news outlet said a 54-year-old homeless man had been detained in connection with the case and subsequently charged in court the next day for Leong's murder.
Australian media reported that Simon Hunter, 54, was charged in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court with murder.
The court heard that Hunter had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had no fixed address. He has been remanded in custody before the case returns to court on Jan 16.
It was also reported that Leong's family flew into Melbourne from Malaysia on Thursday, but did not attend the court hearing.
Leong had worked at a public health services company in Melbourne since 2021.
His employer, in a statement, had called his death a "tragedy that would be felt by many".
Eastern Health chief executive David Plunkett said Leong would be "remembered for his passion, kindness and dedication to his team and the broader community".
"KC was recognised as a talented leader and was a mentor for many of our emerging pharmacists," he said.