JOHOR BARU – Three suspects, including the older sister of the 4-year-old boy who died of suspected abuse in Batu Pahat in late December, are expected to be charged in the magistrates’ court there tomorrow.
Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said police have received orders from the deputy public prosecutor’s office to proceed with charging the suspects.
He said the three to be charged were among five individuals arrested in connection with the case.
“The three include the sister of the deceased, while the two other (former) suspects will be prosecution witnesses,” Kamarul Zaman said in a press conference today.
The boy succumbed to his injuries in Sultan Ismail Hospital’s intensive care unit on Monday.
Police had previously confirmed that the child’s death was caused by blunt force trauma from a hard object.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Meanwhile, a 9-year-old child in Pontian went through a harrowing ordeal after his family decided against sending him to the hospital to treat burn injuries he sustained after playing with fire in front of his home.
Kamarul Zaman Mamat said that the family decided to conceal the incident and treat the injury at home.
“We found that the child suffered burn marks to his body area. He should have been brought to the hospital to receive treatment,” he said.
He added that the neighbours learned of the incident after noticing the child’s injuries via WhatsApp, before lodging a police report.
“Thanks to the person that lodged the report. I urged the public to immediately report to police or reach out to other agencies such as the Social Welfare Department, or contact the Nur Kasih hotline upon learning of any case of child abuse.”
Kamarul Zaman added that the Johor palace was also concerned about child abuse, stressing that the Johor police contingent would work with all relevant agencies and ministries to protect the rights of neglected children.
He said that the child has been rescued and is currently receiving treatment at Sultanah Aminah Hospital.
“Cases like this should be referred to the hospital immediately. No one is at fault as it was an accident.
“But it became a crime when you tried to hide it and deny the victim treatment,” he said. – The Vibes, January 4, 2023
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