Report: Five vehicles destroyed in suspected arson

Five vehicles were destroyed in Kuala Kangsar early this morning in a case of suspected arson targeting the Road Transport Department (RTD), according to an Utusan Malaysia Online report today.

The report said three of the vehicles - two Toyota Fortuners and one Ford Ranger - belonged to the JPJ, while the other two vehicles belonged to members of the public and had been confiscated by the RTD.

The incident took place at the Kuala Kangsar RTD’s enforcement station.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Sayani Saidon was quoted as saying that the department received a distress call at 2.30am and 16 firefighters were dispatched to put out the blaze.

Sayani said the fire was brought under control within 10 minutes, but by then the JPJ vehicles were 90 percent destroyed and the other two vehicles were 70 percent destroyed.

“According to a witness, who is the security guard there, he tried to control the flames but a small explosion forced him to contact the Fire Department for help. The fire started from the Toyota Fortuner parked in the middle of the vehicles involved,” he told Utusan.

The report noted that the incident took place barely two weeks after a Jan 23 incident where four cars belonging to the family of Customs senior assistant director (GST Enforcement) Nur Azman Mat Jini were set on fire at his house.

Believed to be linked to disgruntlement

The report said the latest incident is believed to be linked to disgruntlement towards enforcement actions taken by the RTD. It described the incident as “insolent”, and said it showed that criminals were getting bolder in challenging the authorities.

The report also quoted Kuala Kangsar district police chief Ahmad Termizi Abd Haq saying that the cause of the fire is believed to be mischief, and the case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code.

“This is because there are signs that the fence between the area and the roadside had been cut. The motive is still being investigated, but there is the possibility that the incident was perpetrated by certain quarters disgruntled by RTD’s enforcement actions.

“So far, we are still determining the number of suspects involved and believe this was done by more than one individual,” Ahmad Termizi is reported to have said at a press conference at the scene of the incident.

Nevertheless, he said, there has been no arrest so far, and the RTD had not received any threats.

Section 436 of the Penal Code deals with mischief by fire or explosive substances with the intention of destroying - among others - government facilities. A person convicted of the offence is liable to be imprisoned for up to 20 years, as well as a fine.- Mkini