JOHOR BARU: The seven-year-old boy who was allegedly abused by his own mother has only been under her care for one year, says Khairin Nisa Ismail.
"I was made to understand that the child has only been living with his mother for one year after moving from his grandparents home in Kedah," she said in a statement here.
"I am sad to hear about the abuse of the seven-year-old child in the hands of his mother and her friend in Pasir Gudang,” added the state women, family and community development committee chairman.
Khairin Nisa said that she had been told that the child has been brought to the Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) and that the police have arrested the mother and her friend for further investigation.
She added that the Johor Baru Welfare Department is collecting further information on the next of kin and those who are qualified to take care of the child.
"An assessment is also being conducted for temporary or permanent protection of the child after being discharged from the hospital," she said.
It was earlier reported that the police arrested two women believed to be involved in the abuse of a seven-year-old boy at a house in Bandar Layangkasa in Pasir Gudang.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the child's mother, 27 and a foreign woman, 30, were arrested at 12.30am on Saturday (Aug 13).
He noted that the police have also confiscated two rattan canes.
The mother is currently under remand for six days until Aug 17 while her friend is under remand until Aug 18 to help with the investigations, said Comm Kamarul Zaman.
The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for child abuse, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 20 years or a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.
Earlier, several videos were circulated on social media showing a child with wound marks on his body, with both of his “parents” being berated by the neighbours.
