Tahfiz fire suspects to be charged today

KUALA LUMPUR: The suspects in the arson attack at Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz at Kampung Datuk Keramat will be charged today with murder and drug-related offences, says city police chief Comm Datuk Amar Singh.

He said the case had been forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Chambers and police have received instruction to charge them in court.

“Two of the suspects will be charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

“Six suspects will face a charge under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he said when contacted yesterday.

It is learnt that the two suspects facing murder charges will also face additional drug charges.

Earlier, at a press conference in Bukit Aman, Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said police had wrapped up their investigations into the tahfiz fire.

He said that not all of the seven young suspects would be charged for the crime as not everyone was directly involved in the arson. Investigations revealed that the perpetrators had allegedly set fire to the top-most floor of the religious school.

“Those who were not directly involved will be charged with drug offences and will likely serve as witnesses at the trial,” he said.

Noor Rashid said police were also probing the circumstances leading to information from the case, including the suspects’ personal details, being leaked to the public.

Following the tragedy, 13 police officers were quizzed over the leaked information, which also made its way to social media.

Noor Rashid said it was crucial that the police force’s understanding of confidentiality be maintained. However, he added that the leaks had “minimal impact” on investigations into the case.

On Sept 16, seven youths aged between 11 and 18 were arrested for allegedly causing the fire which killed 21 students and two wardens.

Six of the suspects also tested positive for taking ganja.