Five vehicles burnt at JPJ was in retaliation, say police
IPOH: Five vehicles parked at the Kuala Kangsar Road Transport Department (JPJ) office here were set on fire, in an apparent retaliation for its enforcement activities.
Three of the vehicles belonged to the department. The other two had been impounded recently.
In the early morning incident yesterday, firefighters rushed to the scene after getting a call at about 2.30am.
No one was hurt in the incident. Kuala Kangsar OCPD Asst Comm Ahmad Termizi Abdul Haq said two Toyota Fortuners and a new Ford Ranger belonging to the department were burnt.
“So were two Volvos that were recently impounded,” he said.
ACP Ahmad Termizi said a security guard called the department as soon as he saw the burning cars that were parked at the back of the building.
ACP Ahmad Termizi said investigative and forensics teams found that a fence had been cut through.
“This is an act of arson, and we have some leads.
“There is a possibility that certain par- ties were not happy with the enforcement activities carried out by the department.
“Statements from (RTD) officers revealed that prior to the incident, some people voiced their dissatisfaction over certain enforcement activities being carried out.
“I cannot reveal the details as we do not want to jeopardise our investigation,” he said, adding that more than one person might be involved.
It is learnt that the CCTV cameras on the premises were not directed at the area where the vehicles were parked.
“The case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for causing mischief using fire,” ACP Ahmad Termizi added.
Department deputy director Sayani Saidon said firemen arrived within five minutes and doused the fire within a minute.
“Our forensics department and a K9 Unit were then deployed,” she said.
“We found signs of forced entry, but the cause of the fire is still being determined.”