TAWAU: Police arrested a 41-year-old foreign construction worker suspected of child abuse and criminal intimidation in Kampung Sri Aman, Batu 3, Jalan Apas, at about 2pm on Friday.
Tawau District Police Chief ACP Rosdi Mat Jusoh said the suspect was detained by officers from the District Criminal Investigation Department (BSJD) in front of an unnumbered house following a public complaint.
He said the report was lodged by a 30-year-old housewife who feared for her family’s safety after the suspect allegedly ran amok and hit her nine-year-old nephew with a broomstick.
“The suspect, who is the complainant’s stepbrother, was involved in the incident at about 9am on Saturday at an unnumbered house in the same village,” Rosdi said on Sunday night.
Rosdi said the woman also claimed that the suspect frequently ran amok and that the incident was not an isolated case.
The suspect also allegedly threatened to hang the victim’s younger siblings if their mother went to work on the day he was arrested.
Police checks found that the suspect did not have valid identification or legal documents to reside or work in Malaysia.
“Consequently, investigations are being conducted under three separate statutes: Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for child abuse, Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation, and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for entering or residing in Malaysia without valid documentation,” said Rosdi.
He said police would not compromise on cases involving child abuse or threats to public safety and would conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with the law.
Rosdi also urged anyone with information on criminal activity or child abuse to contact the Tawau District Police Headquarters at 089-772121 or the nearest police station.
