A 40-year-old man has been arrested in Besut after allegedly raping his 14-year-old niece in Kampung Raja.
The alleged sexual assault came to light after the teenage girl confided in her family about what had happened, prompting a police report on November 8.
Besut district police chief Superintendent Mohd Rozaime Ab Rahim said police arrested the suspect at his home in Kampung Raja at 2.45pm on the same day.
A urine screening test subsequently found that the man had tested positive for methamphetamine.
Further investigations also revealed that the suspect had 11 previous records involving various drug-related and criminal offences, Mohd Rozaime said in a statement on Sunday.
The case is being investigated under Section 376 of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of up to 30 years and whipping upon conviction.
Mohd Rozaime stressed that Besut police took all forms of sexual offences seriously, particularly those involving children.
He also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant about their children’s safety and immediately lodge police reports if they suspect any form of abuse or sexual harassment.
