E-Hailing Driver Charged With Attempted Murder After Woman Set on Fire in Kepong

KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 2026 — An e-hailing driver was charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Monday with attempting to murder an elderly woman by allegedly setting her on fire using petrol earlier this month.

Ang Kam Tong, 59, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read before Judge Datin Surita Budin.

According to the charge, Ang is accused of attempting to murder Gan Siew Teen, 62, an employee at a lottery outlet in Taman Pusat Kepong, Sentul, at about 7.51am on Aug. 9.

The woman was allegedly doused with a liquid believed to be petrol before being set alight at her workplace.

Previous reports said she suffered burns to approximately 50 per cent of her body as a result of the attack.

Ang was charged under Section 307(1) of the Penal Code, which deals with attempted murder.

If convicted, the offence carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

The charge remains an allegation, and Ang is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Shakila Mohd Shariff opposed bail, arguing that the alleged offence was serious and non-bailable.

The prosecution also told the court that the accused had allegedly attempted to flee previously.

Defence lawyer Lee Keng Fatt, however, asked the court to grant bail, telling the judge that Ang worked as an e-hailing driver and did not have a fixed income.

The defence also said Ang was unmarried and had siblings who could assist him.

After hearing submissions from both sides, Judge Surita allowed Ang bail of RM15,000 with one surety.

The court fixed Sept. 25, 2026 for the next case mention and submission of documents.

Before the charge was filed, police had obtained a seven-day remand order against the suspect after his arrest in connection with the incident.

Kuala Lumpur police previously said several items believed to be related to the investigation were seized, including a bottle containing liquid suspected to be petrol, a helmet, a shirt, a Yamaha 135LC motorcycle, motorcycle keys and road tax documents.

Police had initially investigated the case under Section 326 of the Penal Code before the suspect was later charged with attempted murder under Section 307(1).

The 62-year-old victim sustained serious burn injuries following the Aug. 9 incident.

Authorities previously reported that burns affected roughly half of her body, highlighting the severity of the alleged attack.

The case will now proceed through the court process, with the prosecution expected to submit further documents at the next mention in September.

Until a verdict is reached, the allegations against Ang remain unproven.