BEAUFORT: Police are investigating an attempted arson at a business premises on the ground floor of the former Panggung building, identified as Bumi Wang Jaya Sdn Bhd, Lot 1, Wisma Arjuna Holding, early Wednesday morning.
Beaufort District Police Chief Supt Wong Leong Meng said the incident occurred at about 1.45am following a report lodged by the premises manager, Adrian Sim Chan Teng, 43.
He said an unknown individual allegedly attempted to set fire to the premises. Initial investigations indicated the case involved an act of mischief by fire, although the complainant was unable to obtain CCTV footage as the camera belonged to a neighbouring shop.
According to Wong, the complainant went to the scene and detected the smell of petrol outside the shop. Burn marks were found on the sliding door, a banner inside the premises and the front glass panel.
“Initial checks found that no major damage was caused,” he said.
Wong said the complainant later received a CCTV video via WhatsApp from a friend showing an unidentified man arriving in a silver Toyota Vios with a partially obscured registration number.
The suspect was seen standing in front of the shop and throwing a burning object, believed to be paper, at the door while holding a knife.
He said the complainant did not recognise the individual and suffered no losses apart from burn marks on the front door. The report was made for investigation and personal safety reasons.
“No public witnesses have been identified so far and the case is being investigated under Section 435 of the Penal Code,” Wong said.
The Fire and Rescue Department confirmed that the fire had already gone out upon their arrival, and the case was handed over to the police.
