A DAP lawmaker has called for an independent probe into the case of a man whom police claim had set himself on fire when being arrested.

According to Ipoh Barat MP, M Kula Segaran, the victim suffered severe burns in yesterday's incident and is being treated in Hospital Ipoh's intensive care unit.

Perak CID chief Gan Tian Kee said the man had wanted to lodge a report with the Jelapang police station in Ipoh but was told to return later as he was purportedly drunk.

The man allegedly became enraged and started to shove the police officers, who decided to arrest him.

As he was being handcuffed, Gan claimed the man set himself on fire.

"The suspect took out a lighter from his pocket and lit it.

“This caused parts of his body to be burnt before police put out the fire using water,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Gan said the case is being investigated under Section 309 of the Penal Code, Section 90 of the Police Act, Section 21 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 6 of the Corrosive and Explosives Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958.

Kula Segaran, however, said the police should not be investigating themselves on the matter.

"I urge the home minister to order an independent task force and inquiry to ascertain how the man set fire to himself in the Jelapang police compound.

"I am sure the police CCTV was functioning at the material time which will provide much of the required information," he added in a statement.