Man rams car into factory

IPOH: A man crashed his car into a factory, causing serious damage, before he died in a road accident about an hour later.

He was also believed to have thrown a Molotov cocktail into the premises which led to a blaze.

The 52-year-old man was previously the project manager of the factory before he was suspended from work in September and was dismissed recently.

The drama unfolded at about 6.40pm on Thursday when he was said to have crashed his car into the factory’s office located in the Chemor Industrial Area near here.

He then proceeded to ram his car into another room before leaving the factory through the front entrance on foot, said Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm A. Asmadi Abdul Aziz.

However, at about 7.45pm, police received a report that the man had died after being hit by a trailer along Jalan Kuala Kangsar near the IGB Industrial Area.

“Witnesses claimed that the man had deliberately walked onto the road.

“We believe he was unhappy about being suspended since September due to problems at his workplace.

“The factory management was investigating him for disciplinary issues after he was accused of threatening the management,” ACP Asmadi said in a statement yesterday.

He said the damage was estimated at about RM1mil.

The fire at the factory was put out by security personnel and no injuries were reported, he added.

The incident, ACP Asmadi said, was being investigated under Sections 427 and 448 of the Penal Code for committing mischief by causing damage and trespassing.

A video, purportedly of the man explaining his situation, was found to have been uploaded on YouTube.

ACP Asmadi urged people not to speculate and to let the police carry out investigations.

“Let us do our part first and not have a trial by media,” he added.

Those facing emotional and psychological distress can call Befrienders Ipoh 05-547 7933/7599, KL 03-7956 8144/8145 and Johor Baru at 07-331 2300.