KUALA LUMPUR: A man, believed to be a foreigner, died after being beaten by members of the public while attempting to snatch a handbag from a female kindergarten teacher near Batu 9, Cheras, on Tuesday.

Kajang District Police Chief ACP Naazron Abdul Yusof said police received an emergency call at 11.10am and rushed to the scene, where they found the suspect unconscious and injured.

Medical personnel later confirmed the man had died, believed to be from injuries inflicted by the public.

Following the incident, police arrested eight local men aged 22 to 72 that evening to assist in the investigation. They have been remanded for six days until July 28.

The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of 30 to 40 years with no less than 12 strokes of the cane if the death sentence is not applied.

Police are urging anyone with information about the incident or the victim's identity to contact ASP Ong Eng Yew at 012-696 6849 or the nearest police station.