New Straits Times

COPS TO COMPLETE PROBE SOON

Evidence, statements have been documented, says Johor CID chief

- HALIM SAID AND CHUAH BEE KIM JOHOR BARU news@nst.com.my

JOHOR police are optimistic about wrapping up investigat­ion on a 11year-old boy who died last Wednesday, after allegedly being beaten by an assistant warden at a private tahfiz school, before the suspect’s remand ends this Wednesday.

Johor Criminal Investigat­ion Department chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said police recorded statements from people related to the school, and the victim’s family and friends.

“We will submit the papers to the deputy public prosecutor (DPP) for further action.”

Kamarul Zaman said the investigat­ion papers would be reviewed by the DPPs office.

“All evidence and recorded statements from case witnesses have been documented. The investigat­ing officer is completing the case report for submission as we speak.”

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin urged the public to refrain from speculatin­g about the case on social media.

“Spreading unverified news is not going to help with the matter.”

He said fairness and justice for all could only be achieved by letting the police do their job.

He said this when asked on the statement made by Madrasah Tahfiz Al-Jauhar on Sunday that said it would hand over six pages of notes written by the victim, Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gadaffi, to police.

Thafiq had documented his wish to leave the tahfiz school and for Allah to open his parents and ustaz’s hearts so he could be transferre­d.

The private religious school reportedly vouched for the assistant warden, who was arrested last Saturday at his home in Felda Lok Heng Barat, Kota Tinggi, following a police report lodged on April 18 by the student’s mother.

The assistant warden allegedly beaten Thaqif and other students with a rubber hose as punishment for making noise in the surau.

Soon after the alleged beatings, the victim was diagnosed with fever, and bruises and swelling appeared on his legs due to infection. On Friday, doctors had to amputate his legs to save his life.

The assistant warden is under police remand until May 3 for investigat­ion under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

The school said they knew about the suspect’s criminal record, but hired him as he deserved a second chance and was repentant for his past crime.

 ?? AND VICTIM’S FAMILY
PIX BY ZULKARNAIN AHMAD TAJUDDIN ?? Madrasah Tahfiz Al-Jauhar, where the victim studied, in Kampung Lukut, Kota Tinggi. (Inset) Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gadaffi.
AND VICTIM’S FAMILY PIX BY ZULKARNAIN AHMAD TAJUDDIN Madrasah Tahfiz Al-Jauhar, where the victim studied, in Kampung Lukut, Kota Tinggi. (Inset) Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gadaffi.
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat
Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat

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