Dad of suspected abuse victim tests positive for drugs

The father of an 11-year-old girl who was found with bruises on her face, swollen eyes and scars on her body has tested positive for drugs.

Central Seberang Prai OCPD Asst Comm Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said the 36-year-old mechanic tested positive for methamphetamine after his arrest on Sunday.

“Records show that the man has a criminal record and four other cases involving drugs,” he said.

Police have obtained a seven-day remand order on the man and the girl’s 38-year-old stepmother until Feb 16 to facilitate with investigations into the alleged abuse of the girl. It was reported that the woman has a past record for theft.

Court registrar Nor Hapipah Abdullah granted the remand order.

About an hour later, when leaving the courthouse, the man who was handcuffed was heard saying “sempoi la bang, sempoi” (relax brother, relax) to reporters.

On Sunday, members of NGO Malaysian Tamilar Kural, led by its president P. David Marshel and police acted upon receiving complaints from the family’s neighbour at the Ampang Jajar People’s Housing Project (PPR).

They found the girl with both eyes bruised and sent her to the Seberang Jaya Hospital where she is being treated.

“She was trembling in fear when we approached and spoke to her,” said Marshel.

ACP Nik Ros Azhan had said that when the girl was discovered, she had serious injuries on her face and was struggling to open her bruised eyes.

“Doctors found abrasion wounds on her head, swelling over both eyes, bruises over the right elbow, multiple old scars on the right arm and left forearm, and swelling of both feet.

“The victim has not been going to school since last year and was allegedly abused with blunt objects such as a helmet, wooden stick and cloth hanger.

ACP Nik Ros Azhan said the girl is among nine siblings in the family and she and her brother are the children of the man and his first wife while the remaining seven children are the man’s and his current wife.