PUTRAJAYA – A photographer was arrested on May 26 to assist in an investigation into allegations of sexual assault on a 9-year-old male student at a school in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, Sepang, on May 12.
Sepang district deputy police chief Md Noor Aehwan Mohammad said that the 39-year-old local man was arrested at the Sepang district police headquarters compound at about 1.30pm, following a report lodged by the victim’s father on May 26, after the victim complained of being molested while returning from school on May 15.
Noor Aehwan said that the incident allegedly occurred at the school during a petting zoo programme held in conjunction with the school’s Science Committee Month on May 15, where the suspect was one of two photographers hired by the school for the event.
Following the incident, a meeting between the school, the victim’s guardian, and the two photographers on duty was held on May 23, where one of the photographers was said to have confessed to the act.
Noor Aehwan added that the school has decided not to allow the two photographers to enter the school grounds for other programmes, but the victim’s father, who was dissatisfied with the school’s actions, lodged a police report on May 26 which led to the man’s arrest.
Noor Aehwan also said that the man, who has no previous criminal record, has been remanded for a week until June 1.
He added that other student witnesses were also called to record their statements to assist in the investigation. – Bernama, May 30, 2023
