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MELAKA - A trader was arrested over suspected involvement in 10 sexual abuse cases involving children between March and yesterday.
Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the 36-year-old local man was arrested by members of the public at Taman Desa Duyong community hall here at about 6 pm yesterday, before being handed over to the police.
He said the victims involved 10 boys aged between eight and 13 from Duyong and Telok Mas.
"The first investigation paper involves eight boys aged eight to 12, and the cases occurred between May and early this month at a playground near Duyong.
"The suspect’s modus operandi is approaching the victims while they were at a playground or after praying at a surau before hugging, kissing their cheek or forehead and holding their private parts without consent,” he said in a statement here today.
The second investigation paper involved a 13-year-old boy and the investigation found that the victim had known the suspect since last year, as they often met at the playground and surau.
He said the suspect is believed to have taken advantage of the relationship by committing physical sexual assault and carnal intercourse against the order of nature, which is believed to have occurred at the suspect’s house in March.
The third investigation paper involved an 11-year-old boy, and the suspect is believed to have held the victim’s private parts several times and kissed the victim on the cheek at a supermarket in Taman Desa Duyong and a restaurant in Semabok on July 8 and 9.
He said the suspect has been remanded for seven days starting today and the case is being investigated under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. - BERNAMA
