ISKANDAR PUTERI: Police have arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with a fire that destroyed three single-storey terrace houses in Taman Mutiara Rini here.
Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm M Kumarasan said a distress call about the fire was received at 6.55am on Saturday (April 12).
“Following the incident, a team from the district’s Criminal Investigation Department arrested a suspect at around 1pm the same day,” he said in a statement on Monday (April 14).
Initial investigations revealed that the incident was believed to have stemmed from a debt-related dispute, he said.
“Checks showed that the suspect had two prior offences on his record, although a urine test came back negative for drugs.
“Police also seized evidence believed to be linked to the incident, including a set of clothing and a lighter,” he added.
ACP Kumarasan said the suspect has been remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code until Saturday (April 19) to facilitate further investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire with intent to destroy a building, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail and a fine upon conviction.
ACP Kumarasan urged anyone with information on the case or any criminal activity to contact the nearest police station or reach out to the Iskandar Puteri district control centre at 07-511 3622 or the hotline at 07-511 4486.
