By FARIK ZOLKEPLI

JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: A 32-year-old man died after he was set ablaze by an assailant, believed to be his girlfriend.

G. Ganipathy was set on fire at a house in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah at about 7.30am on Sunday.

The suspect, believed to be his girlfriend, had allegedly doused Ganipathy with petrol and set him on fire before fleeing.

The victim was in the toilet when the incident occurred.

The victim's housemates, who heard his scream, quickly put out the fire and rushed him to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital.

However, Ganipathy, who suffered 90% burns, succumbed to his injuries at about 10pm.

It is learnt that he had been renting a room with his girlfriend at the house.

Johor Baru (North) OCPD Asst Comm Ruslan Hassan said yesterday that police had identified the suspect, a 45-year-old woman, and were tracking her down.

He said police had classified the case as murder.

ACP Ruslan urged anyone with information to contact the police or the nearest police station.