Dissatisfaction over lottery numbers is believed to have driven a 59-year-old man to douse a 62-year-old lottery shop attendant with petrol before setting her on fire in Kepong, police said.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus said preliminary investigations indicated that the incident stemmed from a personal grudge between the suspect and victim, who knew each other but were not close acquaintances.
“For now, investigations indicate that the motive was a personal grudge. Cases like this are rare. Setting someone on fire is an extreme form of violence.
“Following the arrest, we are gathering all relevant evidence and completing the investigation,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.
Fadil said the suspect was arrested in the Kepong area yesterday, with police expected to apply for a remand order today to facilitate further investigations.
The incident occurred on August 9 outside a lottery shop, where the victim was allegedly doused with what police believe was petrol before being set alight.
The 62-year-old woman, who worked as an attendant at the shop, suffered burns covering approximately 50% of her body and remains in serious condition.
Fadil said the victim has been placed in an induced coma while receiving further treatment.
The investigation is ongoing as police work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
