The police have obtained an order to extend by seven days from today the remand of the suspect in the murder of three members of a family here last week.

Melaka Tengah District Police chief ACP Shaikh Abdul Adzis Shaikh Abdullah said the extension was necessary because the police investigation was going on.

Tangga Batu UMNO permanent chairman Maria Baharin, 60, her husband Hassan A. Wahab, 70, and their son Mohammad Taufeq, 22, were slashed to death in their house in Kampung Bertam Malim early Thursday morning, by a relative believed to be under the influence of drugs.

Maria's two daughters, Noor Haslinda Diyana, 26, and Nuraqedah Aeina, 24, were badly injured and had been admitted to the Melaka Hospital.

On the same day, assistant registrar of the Melaka Magistrate's Court, Mohd Anuar Ostadi, issued a seven-day remand order on the suspect to facilitate investigation.