Tahfiz fire: Teens to be produced in court today

KUALA LUMPUR: Some of the seven teenagers detained following the tahfiz centre fire in Datuk Keramat recently, will be produced in court here today.

Without disclosing the exact number of those to face charges, Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said police had completed investigations relating to the Sept 14 tragedy, which claimed 23 lives.

He said the investigations revealed that only some of the seven suspects were directly involved in starting the fire at the tahfiz centre.

“Some were not actively involved ... for example they were at the scene of the tragedy or were present during the discussions (on the arson attack on the religious school). However, we will ensure appropriate action will be taken against those who were not actively involved in accordance to other sections of the law such as drug offences or others,” he told a media conference at the Bukit Aman police headquarters here yesterday.

Asked on the process of gathering evidence that had caught public attention, Noor Rashid said police would try their best to gather more evidence, including new leads to strengthen the prosecution’s case.

Meanwhile, Noor Rashid said police were still investigating leakage of information and details of the probe on the fire incident.

“We’re still investigating how that information leaked out, I think we need to build up awareness among our officers because (such leakage) impedes our investigation process,” he said.

The 5.15am tahfiz centre fire killed 21 students and two teachers, who were also wardens.

They were trapped in the hostel on the top floor of the three- storey building.

The investigation is being conducted under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder and Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire. — Bernama