Synopsis: Inspector Mislan and the Yee Sang Murders is an explosive debut from the quietly talented Rozlan Mohd Noor, an ex-police officer, which explains why he knows so much about police work and inside stories. This is a true Malaysian high-tech crime thriller with good cops, bad cops (and badder cops) and triad members, with insights into the workings of the local CSI, and forays into the world of hackers and their viruses, sleeper programs, trojans, ulat, spybots, hound dogs and their link to crime, including murder.
The setting is Kuala Lumpur, global city and the cultural, financial and economic centre of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is one of the leading cities in the world for tourism and shopping. Apart from its plethora of shopping complexes, Kuala Lumpur has designated numerous zones in the city to market locally manufactured products such as textiles, fabrics and handicrafts. It has a bustling entertainment district and plays host to many notable hotel chains.
The Royal Malaysian Police or Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), is a (primarily) uniformed federal police force in Malaysia. The force is a centralised organisation with its headquarters are located at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur. The regular RMP is also assisted by a support group of Extra Police Constables, Police Volunteer Reserves, Auxiliary Police, Police Cadets and a civilian service element.
The CID deals with the investigation, arrest and prosecution of both violent crimes such as murder, robbery, rape, etc., and less serious crimes such as theft and house-breaking. This department also specialises in investigating gambling, vice and secret societies (triads). In our story the branches we are most concerned with are: D2 – Criminal Record Registration Division, D6 – Technical Assistance Division, D7 – Gambling / Vice / Secret Societies Prevention Division, D9 – Special Investigation Division, D10 – Forensic Laboratory Division,
Crime in Malaysia manifests in various forms, including murder, drive by killing, drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, black marketeering, and many others. Sex trafficking in Malaysia is a significant problem.
Kuala Lumpur is pluralistic and religiously diverse. The city has many places of worship catering to the multi-religious population. Islam is practised primarily by the Malays, the Indian Muslim communities and a small number of Chinese Muslims. Kuala Lumpur's rapid development has triggered a huge influx of low-skilled foreign workers from other Asian and Indian sub-continent nations.
So, in this first Inspector Mislan mystery, Inspector Mislan Latif and Detective Sergeant Johan Kamaruddin of Special Investigations (D9), are called upon to investigate the murder of fashion magnate Robert Tham and his family. What was so special about this man to warrant such a diabolical and macabre end. As Mislan delves deeper he is no nearer to solving this, and all the while he is butting heads with the heads of other branches who want to take over his case.
The crime itself has a more modern touch as there is the involvement of computer technicians and hackers in assisting Mislan with his investigation. I was particularly interested in the "method" used in the original crime, pulled straight from the headlines (spoiler altert - you can read more here @ Notes to 21 Immortals).
Aided by the lovely Dr Safia, Forensic Chief Chew, and Superintendent Samsiah Hassan (who has his back in these inter-departmental dust-ups), Mislan eventually reaches the conclusion - could it really have been as simple as all that??
My only criticism was that for the amount of effort put into the crime, the motive appeared weak.
I am looking forward to reading more in the series - see list of titles @ Goodreads.
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