KUALA KANGSAR, Feb 6 — The fire which destroyed five vehicles at the Road Transport Department (RTD) here is being investigated as arson after police investigations at the scene found signs of forced entry.
Kuala Kangsar district police chief assistant commissioner Ahmad Termizi Abd Haq said police found a hole in the fence near the place where the cars were set ablaze.
“The suspects must have planned this, they gained entry into the department’s car park by cutting through the fence and set the vehicles ablaze,” he told reporters during a press conference this afternoon.
Termizi said based on interviews with the RTD officers here, there was an earlier disagreement between officers and a few individuals who were unhappy with the enforcement work carried out by the department.
“I can’t reveal much at the moment as it may jeopardise our investigations, but the dispute between the officers and the individuals will be the focus of our probe,” he said.
Termizi said police had checked the surveillance cameras at the premise but unfortunately they did not cover the car park area.
Five vehicles, including three RTD’s vehicles, were destroyed in the fire that took place at 2.30am today.
Termizi said the cars which were destroyed in the fire were parked inside the department’s compound.
The department’s vehicles that were destroyed include two brand new Toyota Fortuners and a Ford Ranger.
All three vehicles were 90 per cent destroyed.
Two Volvos seized by the department were 70 per cent burnt in the fire.
Only one security guard was on duty during the incident.
Termizi said the case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for causing mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy a house.
Meanwhile, Perak Fire and Rescue Department Deputy Director Sayani Saidon said investigations were underway and that so far, they have not retrieved any evidence from the scene.
A police K9 unit from Selangor had arrived to assist with investigations.
The exact losses suffered have yet to be determined but the cars are valued at around RM800,000.
Meanwhile Perak Road Transport Department Director Mohd Zawawi Zakaria said for now they will leave investigation to police and the Fire and Rescue department.
“We will let the relevant authorities to investigate first and will issue a statement after the probe is concluded.
Zawawi said the two Volvo which were burnt in the fire was a cloned car and a ‘kereta potong’ (cut-and-joined car).
“The cars were being stored and was supposed to be sent to our laboratory for analysis, but unfortunately the cars has been damaged in the fire,” he said.
