A 46-year-old Malaysian single mother is facing a potential 36-year jail sentence after being linked to a string of arson cases in Johor.
Alleged Wrong House Fire Incident
The woman, identified as Vun Lee Fon, was accused of setting fire to a house in Kluang, Johor, on 5 September at about 5:30am. Reports suggest she had targeted the property believing it was linked to a debtor, but it turned out to be the wrong house. The blaze quickly spread, damaging four other houses along the same row. Fortunately, residents managed to escape without injury.
Investigators believe she was hired as a runner for an illegal moneylending syndicate, commonly known as ah long. For each assignment, she was allegedly paid RM1,300 (about S$400). Authorities suspect she had been active since early September, using petrol bombs and leaving threatening notes to intimidate loan defaulters.
Multiple Charges of Arson and Intimidation
On 22 September, Vun was brought to court in Johor and charged with five counts of arson and criminal intimidation. These charges cover the Kluang incident as well as other suspected cases. According to Berita Harian Malaysia, she also faces allegations of torching two cars belonging to women aged 28 and 45 in early September.
Both incidents were said to have taken place in the early hours of the morning, between 3am and 4am. Vun, assisted by a Mandarin interpreter, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court has set 15 October as the next mention date, when further documents will be submitted and her legal representation confirmed.
More Legal Troubles Ahead
Immediately after her court appearance, Vun was reportedly taken to Muar police headquarters for further questioning regarding other cases tied to loan shark operations. If convicted of all charges, she could face up to 36 years in prison.
Loan shark-related violence, including harassment and arson, has been a persistent concern in Malaysia and Singapore. Such incidents highlight the dangers of unlicensed moneylending, where debtors and their families often become targets of intimidation and property damage.