A 49-YEAR-OLD man has been remanded for six days to assist police investigations into the death of his five-year-old nephew, who suffered fatal neck injuries in an alleged attack on Friday.
Sibu police chief ACP Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said the Sibu Magistrates’ Court granted the six-day remand order on Saturday, with the suspect to remain in custody until 4 September.
Emergency services were alerted at about 1.45pm on Friday after a member of the public reported that a young boy had suffered a severe neck injury, allegedly inflicted by his uncle.
The victim was rushed to Sibu Hospital for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the resuscitation unit.
Police subsequently arrested the victim’s 49-year-old uncle and seized several items from the scene believed to be connected to the alleged assault.
Preliminary toxicology screening of the suspect returned positive results for methamphetamine and amphetamine.
“The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder,” Abang Zainal said in an official statement on Saturday.
He added that the suspect was being held at the Sibu Central Police Station lock-up.
On the statutory penalties for murder, Abang Zainal said: “Section 302 of the Penal Code provides for the death penalty or imprisonment for a term of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years. If the offender is not sentenced to death, the offender shall also be liable to whipping of not less than 12 strokes”.
Police urged members of the public not to speculate or circulate unverified claims on social media while forensic and investigative teams continue their inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. - August 29, 2026