Police haul in 11 people in Ngeh’s arson attack probe

IPOH: The police have recorded statements from 11 people in their investigation into the arson attack on Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham’s house in Ayer Tawar.

Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said investigation into the incident under Section 435 of the Penal Code was still ongoing.

“We are still trying to track down the person responsible for the incident.

“Those who have information about the incident should contact investigating officer Asst Supt Mohd Azlan Ab Karim at 019-392 7837,” he said in a statement yesterday.

On Jan 10 at about 2.55am, three cars parked in Ngeh’s house were damaged after a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the compound.

Police arrested a man in his 30s two days later but he was released on police bail on Jan 17.

Comm Mohd Yusri said the Molotov cocktail that was thrown into the porch of Ngeh’s house contained petrol.

“The Fire and Rescue Department has made an initial confirmation that the flammable substance used was petrol.

“An official report will be sent to the police in the shortest possible time,” he added.

Meanwhile in TAWAU, police crippled a drug ring with the seizure of more than 4kg of syabu worth some RM240,000 in the east coast of the district.

A 31-year-old local man was arrested in the sting operation at a housing area in the town area last Thursday.

Tawau OCPD Asst Comm Jasmin Hussin said that anti-narcotics police from the Sabah contingent as well as district police conducted the raid following a public tip-off at 5.55pm.

“The suspect tried to escape but the team managed to apprehend him,” he said at a press conference yesterday.He said they seized a black plastic bag held by the man and found four packets of herbal tea inside it.

“The packets contained syabu weighing 4,033.87gm,” he said, adding that they also seized a car belonging to the man.

ACP Jasmin said they believed the drugs were meant for distribution in the local market.

“We are in the midst of establishing the network of the drug ring,” he said.

He added that the suspect had 15 previous drugs records including for possession and drug abuse, and that he had been convicted in court before.

“A urine test also found the suspect testing positive for ketamine and methamphetamine.

“The man has been remanded for seven days until Jan 26 for investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” ACP Jasmin said.