KUALA LUMPUR – Police have arrested a man and seized two cell phones in connection with the arson attack on Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham’s house and vehicles.
Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri has said the man, of Malay ethnicity, is in his 30s and was arrested in Shah Alam, Selangor, at 4am today.
A five-day remand order on the suspect ending on January 16 has been obtained to enable further investigations, Yusri said in a statement.
Yusri said police also seized two mobile phones from the man, who has no record of previous serious crimes.
The case is being investigated under Section 435 of the Penal Code, which pertains to “treachery by fire” and the suspect, if convicted, can be jailed for up to 14 years and fined.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown into Ngeh’s residence in Ayer Tawar, Perak, at about 3am on January 10.
A Mercedes Benz was completely destroyed, while a Honda CRV and Toyota Hilux were damaged in the blaze. The ceiling and roof of the porch were also damaged by the fire. No one was injured.
Ngeh later acknowledged the attack was linked to his recent proposal for non-Muslim law experts to be made members of a special government committee on shariah law and shariah courts.
Following backlash, the DAP politician apologised for making the suggestion. DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had also intervened to quell tempers, calling Ngeh’s remarks a “mistake”.
The cabinet has condemned the arson attack on Ngeh’s home. The lawmaker, however, is also the subject of a police investigation after numerous reports were lodged against him for his remarks on the special syariah committee. – January 12, 2024