KUALA LUMPUR: Three brothers have been detained in connection with the alleged abuse of four tahfiz pupils who were found safe after going missing for two days.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the brothers, aged 13, 15 and 20, were nabbed on Friday.
“The oldest suspect was remanded for a day while the others were not as they are underage.
“All three suspects were released on police bail at 7pm on Saturday after their statements were recorded,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Comm Rusdi said police were still carrying out investigations, including getting a statement from the doctor who had examined the victims.
“Give police space to investigate the case thoroughly,” he said.
Comm Rusdi said the students, aged 13 and 14, were found in Bangi and brought to the hospital for checkups after they were suspected of being abused and sexually assaulted.
“There were signs of swelling and other wounds, believed to have occurred when they were at the tahfiz. We are still investigating the matter,” he said.
Two investigation papers have been opened under Section 31 1(a) of the Child Act and Section 14b of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, he added.
According to Comm Rusdi, the boys claimed that they were abused and sexually assaulted.
He said the pupils also said they ran away from the school as they could not stand the conditions there any longer.
“They had been there for less than a year,” he said.
Wangsa Maju OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Lazim Ismail previously said the students were spotted by a member of the public at 11.58pm on Thursday at Kampung Bangi in Kajang.
He said the passerby handed them over to Bangi police station.
Meanwhile, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department said it would not hesitate to shut down any private religious school in the state found to be involved in abuse, sexual harassment, or actions that violate the fundamental principles of Islam.
Its director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad urged parents to closely monitor their children’s development, particularly any changes in attitude and behaviour, so that potential issues can be identified early and not adversely affect their future.
