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POLICE have detained the mother and aunt of a six-year-old boy who drowned in a hot spring pool here on Monday night, as part of an investigation into possible child neglect.
Alor Gajah district police chief Superintendent Ahmad Abu Bakar said the two women, aged 27 and 22, were arrested on Tuesday to facilitate the recording of their statements.
“The two sisters are believed to have been at the scene of the incident and will be released later this afternoon on police bail to allow the family to manage the funeral arrangements for the child,” he said when contacted by reporters here.
Ahmad said the case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which relates to abuse, neglect, abandonment or exposure of a child in a manner that may cause physical or emotional harm.
Media reports earlier said the incident occurred at about 7.40pm when the victim, who had travelled with his family from Felda Keratong in Pahang, was found floating in an adult pool by members of the public.
The child was rushed to Hospital Alor Gajah for further treatment, where he was pronounced dead at 8.24pm. - February 3, 2026
