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The Star

A couple, believed to have been hired by a Singapore-based loan shark, was arrested on suspicion of starting a house fire in Malaysia’s Johor state.
The fire killed a 72-year-old woman in Kampung Bukit Siput, Segamat, on July 25.
State police chief Commissioner Ab Rahaman Arsad said police received an emergency call regarding a fire involving five houses at about 4.30am.
“Investigations by the police and the fire department found elements of arson.
“We then formed a special task force and arrested a couple, a 21-year-old and his 19-year-old girlfriend in Subang Jaya, Selangor, a week after the incident.
“During the interrogation it was revealed that a loan shark syndicate in Singapore hired them to carry out criminal intimidation by setting fire to the house of a borrower who had failed to repay a loan,” he told a press conference on Wednesday, Bernama reported.
Ab Rahaman said investigations found that the couple were suspected of actively committing mischief in Johor and Selangor since July, receiving 1,000 ringgit (US$238) for each job.
“At the time of the incident, the woman was alone. She had never received any threat. It is believed that the loan was taken out by a family member,” he said.
Ab Rahaman said four investigation papers had been referred to the state legal adviser’s office with instructions for prosecution.
The male suspect will be charged at the Segamat Magistrate’s Court on Thursday with nine charges under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code for causing death without intent, Section 436 for arson, and Section 507 for criminal intimidation.
“His girlfriend has been released on police bail and will serve as a prosecution witness,” Ab Rahaman said.
This story was first published by The Star


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Couple hired by Singapore loan shark arrested for deadly Malaysia house fire

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The blaze killed a 72-year-old woman in Johor’s Segamat last month

The blaze killed a 72-year-old woman in Johor’s Segamat last month