A 36-year-old unemployed man has been arrested after allegedly setting his mother’s house on fire following a dispute with family members in Kampung Sungai Baru, Kubang Pasu.
The incident occurred at about 3.15pm on Sunday, when the unoccupied two-storey house was engulfed in flames and suffered approximately 80 per cent damage.
Kubang Pasu District Police Chief Superintendent Mohd Radzi Abdul Rahim said the suspect was seen entering the house by his cousin, who operates a business nearby.
According to police, about 30 minutes later, the suspect was seen climbing out through a window before flames rapidly spread from the living room area.
The cousin immediately contacted the Fire and Rescue Department, which responded to extinguish the blaze. Fire officials later confirmed that around 80 per cent of the property had been destroyed.
Police said the house belongs to the suspect’s 60-year-old mother, who currently lives in Pokok Sena and was not at the property when the fire broke out.
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspect allegedly set the house ablaze after an argument with his family.
Background checks also revealed that the suspect has several previous criminal records, including cases involving criminal intimidation under Section 506 of the Penal Code, voluntarily causing hurt with a weapon under Section 324 of the Penal Code, drug-related offences under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and offences under Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
The case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code, which covers mischief by fire or explosive substance with the intent to destroy or damage a house.
