Utusan Malaysia reported Kluang deputy police chief Nik Azmi Husin as saying that the 1.43am incident involved a car driven by the victim and a van with four passengers and a 55-year-old driver.

He said early investigations found the car was headed to Batu Pahat from Kluang, while the van was coming from the opposite direction.

“The victim is believed to have lost control of his car and entered the opposite lane, colliding with the van and slamming into a tree by the road. The car then caught fire.

“The driver of the car was burnt to death at the scene, making identification difficult,” he said in a statement.

Nik Azmi said three of the van’s passengers, Singaporeans Lee Zi Sun, 50, Chong Siew Fah, 47, and Lee Chen Hao, 11, were injured and are receiving treatment at the Enche Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang.

He said the van’s driver and front passenger, who live in Kluang, also sustained light injuries.

“The victim’s body has been referred to the same hospital for autopsy, and the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.”

Meanwhile, Kluang fire and rescue station operations commander Fauzi Nor said 10 personnel, together with a fire rescue tender truck and emergency medical rescue services unit, were sent to the scene.

“The fire destroyed 80% of the car. The victim was found trapped in the driver’s seat,” he said.