Police record statements of those involved in alleged abuse of child with autism

JOHOR BAHRU - Police have called all parties involved in the case of alleged abuse of an autistic child at a therapy centre in Skudai, here recently.

North Johor Bahru District Police Chief Assistant commissioner Rupiah Abd Wahid said the process was to aid in the investigation before the papers were sent to the prosecutors.

"At this stage, police will get the medical report of the victim officially on paper before the investigation papers are brought forward to the deputy public prosecutor for further actions.

"Previously, after getting the complaints regarding the issue, the child was referred to the Kulai Hospital to get treatments and a health screening.

"The child has been referred to the Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) here to receive a special evaluation by a specialist regarding his health status," she said in a statement on Friday.

Previously, a Facebook user named Cik Puan Zetty uploaded a post of the police report by a mother who claimed the autistic child was abused at the centre.

Rupiah said officers in the Johor Bahru Utara District Police Headquarters (IPD) traced the post from Facebook on Thursday.

She said the case was investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, if found guilty could be charged with a maximum prison sentence of 20 years or a fine of RM50,000 or both.