PUBLISHED ONAugust 11, 2026 4:25 AMBYDana LeongA police search is underway for the man who doused an elderly woman in petrol and set her on fire at a lottery outlet in Kuala Lumpur.
The incident occurred on Sunday (Aug 9) at around 7.30am, after the 62-year-old counter attendant opened the doors to the outlet in Taman Pusat Kepong, Malaysian outlet the New Straits Times (NST) reported.
The suspect was masked, and splashed petrol over the victim Gan Siew Teen's body before lighting her on fire and fleeing the scene.
Workers from a nearby restaurant who witnessed the attack rushed to the Gan's aid and helped put out the fire, according to NST.
Sentul acting district police chief Superintendent Jasni Zolpa said that the victim was rushed to Kuala Lumpur Hospital, where she is reported to be in stable but critical condition.
She suffered first-degree burns to about 50 per cent of her body, he added.
Initial investigations by the Malaysian authorities found that she had no known enemies and had not received any threats before the attack, reported Malay Mail.
The Kuala Lumpur police also collected DNA samples and other items from the scene to assist investigations, and have launched a special operation to track down the suspect.
Lim Lip Eng, MP for Kepong, issued a statement on Monday offering a reward of RM5,000 (S$1,563) for "credible information that directly leads to the arrest of the suspect".
"I am sickened and outraged by the brutal attack at Taman Pusat Kepong," he said.
"Pouring fuel on a woman and setting her on fire is an act of shocking cruelty," Lim wrote, adding that the suspect must be "made to face the full force of the law".
Lim appealed to those with information on the incident to contact investigating officer, Insp Muhammad Amri Firdaus Jusoh at 010-9198209, the Sentul district police headquarters operations room at 03-40482222 or the nearest police station.
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