By Zaki Salleh
Photo: Police
BAGAN SERAI: A husband and wife pair have been detained by the police to assist in the investigation on the abuse of a 6-year-old boy at Taman Permai Ladang, Kalumpang.
Kerian District Police Chief, Superintendent Juna Yusoff, stated that they received a report regarding the incident last Thursday.
“A team of police from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Kerian District Police Headquarters (IPD) detained a 47-year-old man, believed to be the biological father of the child.
“The child’s 33-year-old stepmother was also detained at a house in Ladang Kalumpang for further investigation related to the reported abuse,” he said in a statement.
The victim was taken to Taiping Hospital for examination and treatment.
“Upon examination, the doctor confirmed that the victim suffered injuries on his face, chest, abdomen, both arms, legs, and thighs due to being beaten.
“The victim is now being held at Taiping Hospital and is in stable condition,” Juna said.
Juna added that during the arrest of the suspects, the police also seized several objects believed to have been used to harm the victim.
Three bottles of liquid suspected to be “ketum” water were also seized.
Ketum is used in traditional medicine but can be abused due to some of its characteristics which are said to be similar to illegal substances.
The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.
