SIBU: A mentally challenged Indonesian man yesterday set fire to a car that he was travelling in to get home.
The incident occurred at Sarikei-Sibu Road at about 9.20am.
Sarikei OCPD Supt Awang Arfian Awang Bujang said the driver of the multi-purpose vehicle, who is also an Indonesian, was sending the man home as his employer had laid him off due to his mental problem.
The suspect from Sambas, Kalimantan was working at an oil palm plantation in Sibu. He used a match to set fire to the vehicle and was seen dancing as the flame heightened.
He has been detained and will be referred to a hospital for further questioning, said Awang.
Sarikei fire chief, Mahmudin Narudin, said 11 firefighters in a fire engine rushed to the scene upon receiving a public tip-off.
“Firefighters took 25 minutes to extinguish the fire that destroyed the car totally,” Mahmudin said.
