SHAH ALAM – As the famous Wisma Jakel in Shah Alam engulfed in flame yesterday, many speculations about the fire have arisen on social media.
Thus, police have since reminded people to respect individuals who suffered losses worth millions of ringgit and the affected parties’ source of income caused by the fire.
Shah Alam police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said police had not received any report regarding the social media posts that said the fire incident was intentional.
"Even though a police report has not been made, I would like to remind the community not to make statements that hurt the victims’ feelings carelessly.
"Do not be happy about others’ misery or make any false accusation when we do not know the actual cause (of the fire),” he told Sinar Harian on Tuesday.
He said this accusation could be subjected to strict legal action.
"Legal action can be taken, if the Fire and Rescue Department says otherwise, or the owner can take a civil action or defamation suit.
"The case is still under investigation, and so far, the cause of the incident is still unknown, I want to remind the community not to make any speculations or assumptions regarding this matter,” he said.
On Sunday, the building which housed the popular garment and textile department store, Jakel Shah Alam, located at Section 7 here, caught fire.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Datuk Norazam Khamis said the interior of the three-storey shop building was razed, but there were no casualties.
He said firefighters and assets from the Shah Alam Fire and Rescue Station (BBP), Kota Anggerik, Subang, Kota Raja, Damansara, Sungai Pinang and Puchong BBPs were rushed to the scene soon after the department was alerted of the fire at 7.08 am.