Police have arrested 10 teenage boys to assist in investigations into the alleged assault of four school students in Merotai Besar, Tawau, on Friday.
Acting Tawau Police Chief Superintendent Wilynton Enchana Watt said the suspects, aged between 14 and 17, were detained at about 2pm on Saturday during a joint operation conducted by officers from the District Criminal Investigation Division (BSJD) and Bombalai Police Station.
Initial investigations revealed that a group of students approached four teenagers who were walking along a shortcut to Masjid Hidayatul Iman in Merotai Besar to perform Friday prayers.
According to police, the group questioned one of the victims about the whereabouts of two individuals. When the teenager replied that he did not know, he was allegedly attacked and assaulted.
The victim sustained injuries to his face, head, chest and ribs before lodging a police report and receiving further treatment at Tawau Hospital. The three other victims also suffered injuries and have since filed police reports.
Police have classified the case as rioting and are investigating it under Section 147 of the Penal Code.
Wilynton said the police take all forms of violence and misconduct involving students seriously and stressed that firm action would be taken against anyone found to have violated the law.
He also urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s behaviour and social circles, while calling on schools and the public to continue working with the police to prevent violence among students.
The incident gained widespread attention after a Facebook user, believed to be the elder brother of one of the victims, shared a video of the alleged assault online. The footage is believed to have been recorded by one of the alleged attackers.
