KUANTAN: A policeman escaped unhurt after his patrol vehicle was set on fire by a man said to be running amok at a timber yard in Pekan.

       Pekan police chief Supt Mohd Zaidi Mat Zin said the timber yard supervisor told police at about 11pm on Saturday (April 23) about an Indonesian worker going berserk in shared housing in Kampung Selengkong Nenasi.

       Three policemen were dispatched to the scene in a Proton Waja.

       When two of them tried to question the suspect, he became aggressive and attacked them, Supt Mohd Zaidi said in a statement on Sunday (April 24).

       "The suspect then entered the shared housing and came back out with a flaming object, which he threw at the patrol car.

       "One policeman was still in the vehicle at that time but he managed to get out of the car and save himself.

       "The suspect ran into the nearby forest and has not been found until now," he said.

       Supt Mohd Zaidi said another team from Pekan district police headquarters arrived at the scene later and found the first patrol car a charred wreck by then.

       Supt Mohd Zaidi said the two policemen who were attacked by the suspect sustained minor injuries during the struggle.

       "We have launched 'Ops Tutup' to track down the suspect. The Pahang police contingent's K9 unit and D10 branch have also been called in to assist," he said.