MALAYSIA, BATU GAJAH: An argument over the frequent use of a VCD player led to a house being burnt down in Malayan Tin Dredging New Village on Monday night.

It is learnt that Wong Yee Fah, 71, had advised his son not to use the player the whole day.

"He shouted back saying it was his mother who gave him the player," said odd-job worker Wong.

He said his son, in his 30s, ran to the kitchen and wanted to attack him with a knife.

His daughter, Pooi Sin, managed to stop him from doing so.

After that, Wong left the house with Pooi Sin, 39, and her two children to attend prayers for the Nine Emperor Gods festival here.

"When we arrived at the temple, my father received a call from a friend informing him that his house was on fire and that my brother had gone missing," said Pooi Sin.

"I never imagine my brother would torch the house."

The fire destroyed the 40-year-old building, a car, household items and more than RM20,000 which Wong had intended to deposit in a bank yesterday.

Batu Gajah OCPD Asst Comm Najib Mohamad said the police were investigating the case.

Wong is now taking shelter at the service centre of Tronoh assemblyman V. Sivakumar, who donated RM1,000 to him.