Police are tracking down two masked men believed to be responsible for an arson attack on a nasi kandar restaurant in Bandar Dato’ Onn, Johor Bahru, early Friday morning.
The incident occurred just one day before the restaurant was scheduled to hold its official opening ceremony, causing significant damage to the premises.
Johor Bahru South district police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat said a report was lodged at about 3.59am by a 30-year-old local man who operates the restaurant.
Initial investigations, including a review of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, revealed that two suspects wearing helmets and face coverings arrived at the premises at about 3.34am.
The suspects allegedly splashed petrol and red paint around the restaurant before setting the premises on fire and fleeing the scene shortly afterwards.
Raub said the incident resulted in estimated losses of around RM200,000, while the motive behind the attack remains under investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for committing mischief by fire or explosive substances, an offence punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.
Police have appealed to members of the public with information related to the case to contact the Johor Bahru South District Police Headquarters hotline to assist investigations.
Meanwhile, the Johor Fire and Rescue Department said it received an emergency call at 3.43am and immediately deployed personnel from the Tebrau and Kempas fire stations to the location.
Fire officials said the blaze at the permanent restaurant structure had been extinguished before firefighters arrived, with no injuries reported during the incident.
