GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA - Police have identified the person who sold sulphuric acid to the man who splashed it on his relative and her daughter on Saturday.

Northeast police chief Assistant Commissioner Azam Abdul Hamid said police hoped to record a statement from the hardware shop owner soon.

He said a sample of the acid had been collected from the hardware wholesale store in Butterworth.

"We have identified the type of acid and included it as an exhibit in our investigation papers," Azam said.

He said police were baffled why the hardware shop sold the acid as a retail item when it was a controlled item.