Deputy public prosecutor Othman Abdullah, in his opening statement before High Court judge Azman Abdullah on the first day of trial, said police investigations showed the 17-year-old boys entered the religious school in the early morning on Sept 14, 2017 by climbing over the wall.
“They were carrying a water bottle containing petrol with them.
“Both of them left hastily after 20 minutes when the fire started burning on the school’s third floor,” he said.
Othman added closed-circuit television (CCTV) recordings found by the police showed the boys were seen around the school before the fire incident.
The teenagers, represented by lawyer Haijan Omar, had claimed trial in January to 23 counts of murder over the fire incident.
Othman said one of the teenagers led police to discover a cigarette lighter allegedly used to start the fire.
“We will prove the boys caused the death of the 23 people, which included 21 students and two teachers,” he said, stopping short of revealing their motive in burning down the school.
Othman added the police initially classified the fire incident as sudden death but further investigations showed the fire was intentional.
A lighter was used to set fire to petrol-soaked cupboards, walls and front door of school’s hostel, he said.
The trial resumes tomorrow with DNA analyst Nor Aidora Saedon testifying.
2 boys slapped with 23 counts of murder over tahfiz school fire