The body of Malaysian Mohd Azhar Abdul Wahab, 33, who was found dead in a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on April 27 arrived in the country today.

His remains arrived at the KL International Airport (KLIA) here at about 2pm on Malaysia Airlines MH0751 flight from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

An official from the Kulim Bandar Baharu MP office, Mohd Hazril Ezni Zulkapli who was with the victim’s brother, Noorazman, on the flight, said the body was then taken directly to Kampung Air Merah, Kulim, Kedah and was expected to be buried tonight.

"The arrangements to bring the body back went smoothly with the help of the Malaysian consulate in Vietnam, the local authorities there, the Foreign Ministry, and the Kulim Bandar Baharu member of parliament Datuk Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir," he told reporters outside the KLIA Cargo Complex, here.

READ: Family short of funds to bring body back

Asked if Mohd Azhar’s family knew the motive for his murder, Mohd Hazril said the Vietnam authorities were still investigating the matter.

Noorazman, 31, did not want to speak to the media as he was too saddened by his brother’s death.

Mohd Azhar’s family had previously encountered difficulties bringing his body home due to the high costs which were estimated at RM40,000.

According to media reports, Mohd Azhar's body was found with slash wounds on his head and shoulders and there were blood stains on the floor of the hotel room.

Mohd Azhar had gone to Vietnam on April 15 with a friend from his village, and was due to return on April 28.

He was the second of three siblings and worked as a shop assistant in Kulim.

He was also a vocalist with the Svatantrata group which was active in the Kulim area, and had performed in several countries such as Singapore.