MIRI – A teenage boy who went on a rampage in a kindergarten in Sarikei in central Sarawak recently has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced as a juvenile.
Sarikei police chief Awang Arfian Bujang said the 17-year-old will be sentenced in accordance with legal provisions for his age.
He was quoted by TV Sarawak today as saying that the Social Welfare Department will prepare a report on the youth.
“The teenager had pleaded guilty when produced in court on June 20,” he said.
“The court said the sentence to be imposed will depend on the report from the Social Welfare Department which will be ready by August as he is under the juvenile category.
“The boy is out on bail posted by his family until his sentencing date,” Awang Arfian added.
The boy ran amok in the kindergarten while under the influence of drugs, State Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah had said earlier.
The incident is an indication of how serious the drug woes are in Sarawak now, she said two days ago.
“The rampage that took place in the kindergarten was due to the youth acting aggressively while under the influence of drugs.
“He trespassed into the kindergarten during class hours, damaged property and tried to attack those inside.
A teacher was hurt when she defended the kids in her classes. She got into a scuffle with the rampaging youth in her efforts to defend the kids, Fatimah had said.
“This incident is something very serious. It shows that the drug problems in Sarawak are affecting even the young.
“I call on all community leaders to view this problem very seriously and take remedial measures in their respective areas,” she said. – The Vibes, June 29, 2023
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