NO MALAYSIANS INVOLVED IN MEDAN KARAOKE CENTRE FIRE

By Mohd Nasir Yusoff

JAKARTA, Dec 5 (Bernama) –- No Malaysians were involved in the karaoke
centre fire in Medan, Northern Sumatra, which claimed 20 lives Friday night.

A Malaysian Embassy spokesman here said the Medan police had identified all
victims, which included nine women, and none of them were Malaysians.

There were also no complaints from family members on missing Malaysians, he
told Bernama.

Several groups of Malaysian golfers were said to be staying at a hotel close
to the M-City karaoke and discotheque centre.

Medan police chief Imam Margono said that none of the victims were
foreigners.

The victims included four aides and a bodyguard of the Northern Sumatra
governor.

The fire, which began at 8.30pm and burned till midnight, was said to be due
to smouldering cigarette butts accidentally thrown into a thinner container by
workers carrying out renovation works at the centre.

It started on the third floor of the centre, which housed karaoke lounges.

-- BERNAMA