TAWAU: The cops here arrested three individuals in two separate child abuse cases reported on the same day, July 27. The arrests involve a local contractor accused of physically sexually assaulting his four-year-old daughter, and a foreign couple suspected of abusing a two-month-old infant.
Acting OCPD Superintendent Wilynton Enchana Watt, stated that the first report was received at 6.15 pm from a medical officer at Tawau Hospital. The young victim was brought to the hospital’s Emergency Department by her mother after the child complained that her father had touched her private parts.
Acting on the report, a team from the district Criminal Investigation Division tracked down and arrested the 35-year-old local contractor suspect at the Tawau Hospital premises at 10.50 pm that same night. The suspect is currently being remanded to assist in investigations under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, and further statements are being taken from him.
In a separate incident, police arrested a foreign couple—a man in his 30s and an 18-year-old woman at about 11.45 pm at the same location. The arrests followed a police report lodged by a doctor at Tawau Hospital’s Emergency Department after the couple brought the two-month-old baby girl for treatment, accompanied by the child’s grandmother.
The couple initially claimed that the baby had fallen. However, a medical examination revealed bruises on the left forehead, a bite mark on the right cheek, and swelling at the back of the head. The grandmother later informed the doctor that the injuries were believed to have been inflicted by the two suspects, prompting the hospital to alert the authorities.
This case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for suspected child abuse or neglect, as well as Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Wilynton expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Health Malaysia, particularly the medical staff at Tawau Hospital, for their vigilance and swift action in reporting both cases to the police, which enabled immediate investigations to commence.
He stressed that the police take all forms of sexual crimes and child abuse extremely seriously and will not compromise with any individuals involved. He also urged the public to immediately channel any information regarding suspected child abuse or neglect to the nearest police station, ensuring that swift protective action can be taken to safeguard the welfare and safety of the victims. – James Leong
Wilynton expressed his appreciation with the medical staff for reporting both cases to the police.
