Police have arrested a 38-year-old man following a viral video showing a child being beaten with a cane and thrown with a chair inside a house in Petaling Jaya.
Petaling Jaya district police chief Assistant Commissioner Shamsudin Mamat said the police received a report regarding the incident at 1.21pm yesterday from a local individual.
“Preliminary investigations found that the incident took place at a residence in Petaling Jaya, and the suspect is the victim’s uncle.
“The incident is believed to have occurred after the victim, aged between eight and 11, retaliated against the suspect’s mother,” he said in a statement today.
A 35-second video clip of the incident had also gone viral on social media, showing the child being assaulted with a cane and having a chair thrown at them.
Following information obtained, police detained the suspect and seized several items believed to be related to the case to assist in further investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001, and police will apply for a remand order against the suspect at the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court today.
Shamsudin advised the public not to spread inaccurate information regarding the case on social media.
Members of the public with information are urged to contact the nearest police station, the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters at 03-7966 2222, or the investigating officer, Inspector Irfan Emir Mohd Alwi, at 016-537 9507.
