A 12-year-old boy in Kota Baru is clinging to his life after two masked men reportedly doused him with petrol before setting him on fire last Friday.
According to The Star Online, the boy, Heriey Hanif Kamaruzi, suffered first degree burns all over his body and is being warded at the intensive care unit of the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital.
The boy’s mother, 33-year-old Mazni Che Hussain, told the news portal that the masked men had reportedly asked Heriey Hanif about his father’s whereabouts before dousing him with petrol.
“He was playing alone in front of the house at about 6pm. Suddenly, two men on a motorcycle stopped beside him, poured the petrol and set him on fire,” she was quoted as saying, adding that the attackers then fled the scene.
Following the incident, the boy ran into the house screaming in pain. His aunt managed to put out the flames engulfing his body before rushing him to the hospital.
Mazni believed that the attackers were seeking revenge.
“I suspect this was an act of revenge by someone who may have issues with my husband. I really can’t say anything more than that,” the mother of five was further quoted as saying.
Mazni’s husband, 39, works as a labourer.
Heriey Hanif reportedly suffered burns on almost a third of his upper body and plastic surgery will only be possible after her son’s condition is stable, Mazni added.
The family has since lodged a police report and investigations are underway.
