E-hailing driver remanded 7 days after lottery shop assistant set ablaze

On August 9, a 59-year-old e-hailing driver was arrested and held for seven days after allegedly setting a lottery shop assistant on fire with petrol in Petaling Jaya. The victim, a 62-year-old woman, suffered burns covering approximately 50% of her body and is currently in an induced coma undergoing further treatment. Police seized several items, including a bottle suspected to contain petrol, a motorcycle, a crash helmet, and a shirt, during their investigation.

The case is being treated as an instance of voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means. According to Chief Superintendent Fadil Marsus, the incident may have been triggered by dissatisfaction with lottery numbers received from the woman, despite the fact that the suspect and the victim were not close acquaintances. Both parties reportedly knew each other. Notably, the suspect has no prior criminal record.