KUALA LUMPUR: The recent arson attack on the residence and three vehicles owned by Beruas member of Parliament (MP), Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, demands a thorough investigation from all angles, including a potential charge of attempted murder, said a former deputy minister.
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said the attack, occurring in the early hours of Wednesday, raises concerns about the assailant(s)' intention, as the timing suggests a deliberate act to cause more harm than what transpired.
Ramkarpal, the former deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), said there was a need for a comprehensive inquiry into the incident, considering the possibility of attempted murder under Section 307 of the Penal Code.
"The choice to commit the offence while the victims were asleep and vulnerable indicates the intention to cause death cannot be ruled out."
Ramkarpal also said the importance of investigating the root causes of this tragic event, exploring whether the perpetrator(s) might have been influenced or incited by statements from irresponsible parties.
He said those parties could face prosecution under Section 505 of the Penal Code for statements conducing to public mischief in such a scenario.
Early on Wednesday morning, three cars parked at Ngeh's house car porch in Ayer Tawar, Perak, were damaged when a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the house compound.
Ngeh took to Facebook on the same day of the attack to confirm the matter. The DAP MP also said the fire was successfully contained, and there were no casualties.
It was reported yesterday that the police have arrested a man to facilitate investigation into the arson attack.
Perak police chief, Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, said the suspect, in his 30s, was arrested in Shah Alam, Selangor.
The case, said Yusri, was being investigated under Section 435 of the Penal Code, which carries punishment of a maximum prison sentence of 14 years and a fine, upon conviction.