By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Sept 23: Two local men, aged 40 and 23, have been remanded for three days in connection with a fire believed to have been deliberately started at a convenience store on Jalan Green here.
The suspects will be held from September 23 to 26 to facilitate police investigations under Section 436 of the Penal Code, which covers mischief by fire or explosives and carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.
Senior Assistant Registrar Syazwani Sajeli granted the remand order after police, represented by investigating officer Inspector Tan Chiang Fook, applied for the suspects to be remanded.
Lawyer Daniel Ling appeared for both men.
Police said the fire broke out at the Sin Sin Park sundry outlet on Jalan Green at about 8.30pm on Sept 20.
Shortly before the incident, two masked individuals allegedly arrived at the premises, shouting that there was a bomb and that a fire had broken out.
The warning prompted three staff members to flee the shop before the building caught fire.
The two suspects allegedly evaded arrest for two days before police apprehended the 40-year-old at a house in Sibu at about 2.40pm on Sept 22.
His alleged accomplice, aged 23, was arrested later the same day at a café in Sarikei at about 9.30pm.
Police have also linked the investigation to a second suspected arson attack reported in Sri Aman on the same day (Sept 20), involving another outlet of the same convenience store chain.
Three people have now been remanded as police investigate whether the two fires are connected. — DayakDaily
