TASEK GELUGOR: The man who allegedly set his wife on fire at an oil palm estate here on Monday, has been arrested.
Seberang Prai Utara district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Asri Shafie said the suspect was detained in Nibong Tebal today.
"He will be brought to court tomorrow for remand," he said.
Eyewitness told police yesterday that the suspect was seen leaving the plantation area and boarded a factory van.
It was reported that a 36-year-old man allegedly set his 35-year-old wife on fire using petrol in a house at the oil palm estate, believed to be over a misunderstanding.
The couple's 13-year-old son, who was in his room, overheard a fight between his parents outside. He tried to go out of the room but the door was latched shut from the outside.
When he did manage to come out, the teenager saw his mother on fire at the back of the house while his father was trying to put out the flames.
When the fire grew bigger, the father fled. The son then put out the fire with water before calling for assistance from the neighbours.
In the incident, the victim sustained second and third degree burn injuries with about 27.5 per cent of the total surface area affected.
The victim is currently in the intensive care unit of the Penang Hospital, under close supervision by specialists.
She is in a critical situation with an 80/20 chance of survival.
The case is being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means.
It is learnt that the couple have been married for nearly 15 years and have four children.
They are both working in the oil palm estate and staying in a house provided by their employer.