Cop hauled up over handcuffing of boy

LAHAD DATU: A corporal in his 30’s was identified yesterday as the policeman who allegedly handcuffed a boy here.

The cop, who is attached to the Lahad Datu district police headquarters, was hauled up by his superiors for investigation into the case.

Lahad Datu police chief ACP Nasri Mansor said the corporal was being questioned over the act.

“We want to find out why he did that to the child and appropriate action will be taken against those involved. This should not have happened and we regret it,” he said.

Under Section 83A of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), a child cannot be handcuffed following arrest unless the offence is a grave crime, or the child forcibly resists arrest, or attempts to evade arrest.

Photos of the child holding a toy pistol and in handcuffs made the rounds on social media yesterday, earning the ire of netizens.

In another photo, the child, who is believed to be between 10 and 12 years old, is seen begging for money while pointing the toy pistol at a motorist at Taman Aman Jaya.

It was reported that the boy was among 11 children and four women from the nomadic Pelahu or sea gypsy community, who were held by police on Wednesday for begging and not possessing identification documents.

The stateless folk are being investigated under immigration laws.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has asked Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to take down the picture of the child being handcuffed.

Commissioner Datuk Lok Yim Pheng said the public should stop circulating the picture, which could spread the wrong message to others.