Bomoh held for outraging modesty of underage clients

BINTULU: Police have arrested a bomoh for allegedly outraging the modesty of three underage female clients, including two sisters.

The 60-year-old man was alleged to have stripped naked, bathed with and inserted his fingers into the private parts of the three victims on separate occasions this month.

Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Dev Kumar said the man’s act came to light when his third client, 17, related what had happened during the treatment to her father on Friday.

“Shocked and outraged over the incident, the victim’s father confronted the suspect and punched him in the face on the same day. He later dragged the suspect to the Bintulu police station, where the latter was arrested.

“The suspect, who sustained bruises on his face, received outpatient treatment at a hospital here,” he said in a statement.

Initial investigations showed the same family had taken the younger daughter, 16, to the suspect at the same place on Sept 10.

Dev said investigations revealed that the suspect was also alleged to have committed the same offence against an 11-year-old girl eight days earlier.

“The suspect had allegedly told the parents of the victims that their daughters were suffering from ‘personal issues’ and that he could cure the three girls,” he said.

The bomoh has been remanded for seven days until Sept 29.

The case is being investigated under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Crimes Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum 20 years’ jail and a fine upon conviction.

Shocked and outraged over the incident, the victim’s father confronted the suspect and punched him in the face on the same day.

DATUK DEV KUMAR Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department chief