A 32-year-old local man has been arrested for the suspected abuse-related death of a three-year-old girl in Kampung Rampangi, Santubong, last Tuesday.
Kuching District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Alexson Naga Chabu, said the case was reported on Wednesday by a 52-year-old man, who learned from a friend that his daughter had died around 9:45 pm the previous night. Initial investigations suggest the child was allegedly subjected to abuse leading to her death.
Acting on the tip-off, Kuching Police Criminal Investigation Department officers apprehended the suspect at Kampung Krian, Jalan Padawan, at 11 am on Thursday. Police records show the suspect has six prior drug-related offenses, and preliminary urine tests indicated he tested positive for drugs.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of 30–40 years, along with at least 12 strokes of the cane if convicted.
AC Alexson urged the public not to speculate or share unverified information that could jeopardize the investigation and encouraged anyone with information to contact the Kuching IPD Control Centre at 082-24444 or Senior Investigating Officer ASP Chris Olsen Ramlee at 013-8607572.
