Police have arrested a debt collector with a previous criminal record in connection with the alleged confinement, abuse and sodomy of a 14-year-old boy in Bukit Kemuning earlier this month.
Selangor police chief Shazeli Kahar confirmed that the suspect was detained at his rented room in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
The male suspect has been remanded for three days to assist investigations into the case.
“If investigations are not completed within the remand period, we will apply for an extension,” Shazeli said during a press conference at the Selangor police contingent headquarters.
He urged the public to allow police space to complete the investigation process thoroughly.
According to Shazeli, the suspect is an ex-convict who was released from prison in April last year and had recently relocated to Kuala Lumpur from Kota Kemuning.
Police said the suspect worked as a debt collector and frequently travelled using various forms of public transport.
Authorities are also investigating whether the company employing the suspect is legally registered.
Initial investigations revealed that the victim was allegedly chosen at random.
Police believe the suspect lured the teenager on May 12 by offering him a mobile internet package in exchange for helping to carry items into a house.
The boy was later rescued after a neighbour became suspicious and alerted the police.
So far, investigators have not identified any additional victims linked to the suspect following the report.
The case has sparked public concern over child safety and the tactics allegedly used by predators to lure minors.
