Police reportedly suspect several men with ‘Datuk’ titles to be involved in setting fire to the house of a Customs Department senior officer.
According to police sources, the men were upset with Customs senior assistant director Nor Azman Mat Jini over a GST case, the Malay Mail reported.
“The group of ‘Datuks’ are angry with him over a GST case and we are now looking for them,” one source told the daily.
Nor Azman, 59, who narrowly escaped a fiery death from an arson attack at his house, is in charge of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The 3.30am incident yesterday occurred at Nor Azman’s family home in Precinct 11, Putrajaya, where he lives with his wife Noor Hayari Khairuddin, 57, daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren.
The blaze razed a Mercedes-Benz and Perodua MyVi. Two other vehicles – a Proton Saga and a Honda CRV – were partially damaged.
The front exterior of the house, which is government quarters, was extensively damaged as a result of the blazing cars.
No one was injured as the occupants managed to get out via the back door of the house.
“We were sleeping when the fire broke out. My neighbour alerted me and I immediately got my family out of the house through the back door.
“We couldn’t get out through the front door because of the intense heat from the flames,” Nor Azman said, adding that his neighbour told him he heard a loud explosion.
Noor Hayati said everyone panicked when the fire broke out.
“My husband tried to open the front door, but the intense heat and thick smoke held him back. He grabbed the backdoor key and told us to get to safety immediately. We clambered over the hedges.
“The only thing that I managed to grab while making our escape was my handbag which contained important documents and items,” she said.
Firefighters arrived at the scene at about 4am and took around 30 minutes to extinguish the flames.
Although shaken, Nor Azman was heard jokingly saying that the incident could be his “retirement gift”. He is due to retire in April.
Customs director-general Datuk Seri Subromaniam Tholasy extended his sympathy to Nor Azman’s family, but said he would not comment further on the incident until a full report is issued by the Fire and Rescue Department.
“So far the police told us that it is suspected arson. We have to wait until the report comes out to know the truth,” Subromaniam was quoted saying.
He added that he has known the victim for many years – since he was working as an enforcement officer.
Putrajaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Rosly Hassan revealed a hammer and a lighter were found in the vicinity of the house – believed to have been used to set the house on fire.
“Preliminary investigations show that there are elements of arson in the case. We found a hammer on the bonnet of the Mercedes and a lighter on the floor, both items which we suspect were used by the arsonists,” Rosly said.
The case is being investigated under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire.