BATU PAHAT: A 29-year-old man was arrested last night for allegedly trying to set fire to a bank here.
In the 8.45pm incident, the man was alleged to have tried to set fire to an Alliance Bank branch in Jalan Kundang, Bukit Pasir here before making his getaway on a motorcycle.
Witnesses claimed that the man was spotted at the main entrance of the bank hurling a fabric believed to have been drenched with petrol before setting it on fire.
Batu Pahat police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Wahib Musa said the man was arrested at his home not long after the incident.
He said firemen managed to put out the fire which did not result in a major damage.
"The suspect said he was unhappy with the bank's refusal to cover him with a RM100 million insurance," Abdul Wahib said, adding that the suspect had previously been treated as a mental patient at Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital here.
The suspect has been remanded for four days until Monday (July 24).
The case is being investigated under Section 436 of the penal code for mischief by fire or an explosive substance with intent to destroy a house.