Local Labourers Renovating Zalina’s Home Say She Halted The Project Due To Lack Of Funds

By Lara Lindemann  •  05 Aug 2022 in News

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A major lead in the case of former newscaster Zalina Azman’s disappearance was the presence of three local labourers believed to have been working on a renovation project at her home in Shah Alam late last year.

Some netizens following the news speculated that the workers must have been linked to her vanishing, especially since authorities reportedly had difficulties locating the three men.

However, police have now shut down such rumours. Shah Alam district police chief Iqbal Ibrahim disclosed last night that the police had actually recorded the men’s statements two weeks ago and no longer believed that they were associated with the issue at hand.

Iqbal stated that the renovation work began in 2019, one year after Zalina purchased the home.

The renovation work was carried out in phases, starting with the circuitry, a gallery studio, the kitchen, and a recording space. The remodelling cost about RM320,000 in total. Zalina had made two payments amounting to around RM260,000. The most recent payment was received in August of last year.

“Nevertheless, she did not complete the renovation because she lacked the necessary funds,” he explained at a press conference at the Shah Alam district police headquarters.

Iqbal noted that police had taken statements from 20 people. On July 28, police also seized a laptop as well as some documents from Zalina’s residence.

“We also conducted an inspection with the help of the canine unit (K9) but were unable to detect any traces (scent) in the house,” he told reporters.

Local media shocked the news with reports that the police were looking for the former television host who had been reported missing by her son, Mikhael Norman, on July 18.

Mikhael, 33, had informed the police that he had been unable to contact her since November 24, five days before she was reported missing, to inform her that her father was unwell and had been hospitalised.

On July 23, it was discovered that her phone had been switched off for unknown reasons since November 20, leading police to believe that she had disappeared earlier than what they originally thought.

Despite receiving multiple tip-offs from citizens alleging that they had spotted Zalina, the search for the beloved TV host goes on.

For now, police believe she is still in the country as no records have proven otherwise.

Police have asked individuals who may have information to contact Investigating Officer Sergeant Sabturia Lorong or Shah Alam Section 6 Police Station at 03-5519 4622.