A FREELANCE facilitator has been arrested in connection with the alleged molestation of four Year Six schoolboys during a motivational camp held in Kampung Genting, Penang, last weekend.
The 33-year-old suspect, who is married with two children, was detained at his residence in Sungai Petani at around 9pm on Wednesday, according to Barat Daya District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Sazalee Adam.
He said the arrest followed a police report lodged by the headmaster of the victims’ school at the Bagan Serai Police Station in Perak earlier the same day.
“All four victims are pupils from a national school in the Kerian district of Perak. They were in Penang to attend a motivational camp.
“The suspect is believed to have molested the boys while they were asleep in the camp dormitory on the night of 12 October,” Sazalee told reporters at the Southwest District Police Headquarters on Thursday.
Following the incident, the victims informed their headmaster, who then relayed the information to their parents.
“After a discussion with the parents, the headmaster made the decision to file a police report,” he said.
The suspect, who has no prior criminal record, is currently under a seven-day remand order from Thursday until 21 October to assist investigations under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Sazalee confirmed that the suspect operates a business and regularly serves as a guest facilitator at motivational camps on a freelance basis.
“He does not work full-time for any single institution but is often invited to conduct sessions,” he added.
The case has raised renewed concerns about child protection measures and background checks for individuals involved in student-centred extracurricular activities. - October 16, 2025
