A married couple has been remanded for seven days starting today after being suspected of abusing their 10-year-old nephew in Kampung Sungai Mas, Machang.
Machang district police chief Superintendent Azuhar Md Nor said the pair, aged 29 and 31, were arrested yesterday and brought before the Magistrate’s Court, where a remand order was granted until April 27.
He explained that their arrest followed a police report lodged by a medical officer from Klinik Kesihatan Bukit Bakar in Machang. The child, who had been living with the couple, was taken to the clinic for examination, which subsequently led to the report being filed.
Meanwhile, Kelantan Social Welfare Department director Che Samsuzuki Che Noh confirmed that the boy is currently in stable condition after receiving treatment at Hospital Sultan Ismail Petra.
Authorities said the case is being investigated under Section 19(2)(a) of the Child Act 2001, as concerns grow over child welfare and safety in domestic settings.
“JKM is planning to place the child in a safe shelter in Terengganu and is working to locate his next of kin,” he said when met by reporters on Tuesday.
He added that JKM has also held discussions with the hospital regarding follow-up measures, while counsellors from the department will be providing support to help the child cope with trauma from the incident.
