Penang tuition centre owners among three held over condominium car park arson

THE owners of a tuition centre are among three individuals arrested to assist investigations into a pre-dawn fire that destroyed nine vehicles at the car park of Tunas Residensi Condominium in Bayan Lepas on 27 January.

Penang Police Chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said those detained comprise a married couple who own the learning centre and a male employee who worked as their driver.

All three suspects, aged between 40 and 50, were apprehended in the Jelutong area on the same day as the incident.

“We have arrested three individuals, namely the couple who own the tuition centre and a man who is an employee of the couple.

“The detainees are aged between 40 and 50. The case is being investigated under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief,” he said at a press conference after attending the Advocacy Ceremony and Launch of Op Selamat 25/2026 in conjunction with Chinese New Year at Jelutong Public Market on Thursday.

Azizee added that preliminary investigations indicate the blaze was the result of deliberate mischief.

The fire, which broke out at approximately 4.50am, involved five cars and four motorcycles. The vehicles destroyed were a Perodua Bezza, Honda CR-V, Perodua Myvi, Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda Civic, in addition to four motorcycles. No injuries were reported, although the vehicles were up to 80 per cent damaged.

In a separate development, Penang Police have issued 395 permits for the sale of fireworks and firecrackers ahead of the Chinese New Year festive season.

Nineteen applications were rejected following assessment, while 34 remain under review out of a total of 448 applications received.

“In this matter, the police will continue monitoring the sale of fireworks and firecrackers through the District Police Chiefs in their respective areas,” Azizee said.

He also warned of heavy traffic flows during the festive period, with an estimated two million vehicles expected to enter, exit and transit through Penang during the six-day Op Selamat operation from 15 to 20 February.

A total of 380 officers and personnel from the Penang Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department will be deployed, focusing on districts recording the highest number of fatal accidents and areas prone to congestion.

“JSPT will also collaborate with the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department, the Road Transport Department, local authorities and PLUS.

“JSPT will focus on ‘blackspots’, where accidents frequently occur, and ‘hotspots’, which regularly experience congestion, to ensure smooth traffic flow and safety, particularly along PLUS routes,” he explained.

Among the accident-prone and high-density traffic routes identified in Seberang Perai are Jalan Teluk Air Tawar to Jalan Bagan Luar in North Seberang Perai, Jalan Perusahaan Perai to Jalan Kulim in Central Seberang Perai, and Jalan Besar Simpang Empat from Kilometre 12 to Kilometre 32 in South Seberang Perai.

On the island, attention will centre on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, Jalan Ayer Itam to Paya Terubong in the North-East District, as well as Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and Jalan Tun Dr Awang in the South-West District. - February 12, 2026