Couple Charged with Arson and Red Paint Vandalism in Ipoh

An Ipoh couple, M. Dhinakaran and B. Rahtheneswary, both 34, appeared in three separate courts today to face various charges related to alleged arson and property vandalism with red paint. The incidents reportedly occurred throughout June 2026.

At the Sessions Court, the couple pleaded not guilty to three charges. The first charge alleges they jointly committed arson by throwing a Molotov cocktail, causing damage to a house and a Honda BRV-V car belonging to a 51-year-old woman in Pekan Razaki on June 4, 2026. A second charge accuses them of intentionally setting fire to four houses in Taman Kledang Suria, Menglembu, on June 11, 2026. These charges fall under Section 436 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine.

In the same proceedings, they also denied a charge under Section 435 of the Penal Code for arson, related to causing damage to the entrance door of a house in Menglembu Bestari on June 12, 2026. The court granted bail of RM11,000 for each defendant, with the next hearing scheduled for August 11 for document submission and legal appointment.

Meanwhile, at the Magistrate's Court, Dhinakaran pleaded guilty to charges of vandalism. He admitted to splashing red paint on a fence and a car, causing a loss of RM1,800, on June 5, 2026, under Section 427 of the Penal Code. He also pleaded guilty to another charge under Section 426 for splashing red paint on a car on June 8, 2026. For these offenses, Dhinakaran was fined RM2,500 for each charge, with an alternative of six to seven months in prison if the fines are not paid.

His wife, Rahtheneswary, pleaded not guilty to the charge of splashing red paint on a car on June 8, 2026. The court allowed her bail of RM2,000 with one surety, and the case is set for mention on August 19.