KUCHING: Police here said the man suspected of causing the death of a three-year-old girl has confessed to the crime during the early stage of the investigation.
In the latest development, Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the 32-year-old suspect was arrested less than 24 hours after a report was lodged.
He said police have applied for a remand order to enable them to facilitate investigations.
“Based on our initial investigation, there was a confession. We also have witnesses at the scene, including the mother of the victim.
“Therefore, investigations are ongoing to ensure that if there is sufficient evidence against the suspect, he will be brought to justice,” he said.
He told reporters this during a doorstep interview after attending the Sarawak Contingent Police monthly assembly at the state police headquarters here this morning.
Mohamad Zainal also said the suspect’s urine test came back positive for drugs.
“For now, only one person has been arrested. Police have also recorded a statement from the victim’s mother, and there is no need at this stage to detain her,” he said.
On the nature of the relationship between the suspect and the victim’s mother, Mohamad Zainal said investigations are still ongoing and further details will be revealed once the probe is complete.
“We believe there might be a relationship, possibly it is friendship or romantic in nature,” he said.
He added that a post-mortem on the victim was conducted today to determine the cause of death.
On Thursday, Kuching district police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the man was arrested for allegedly abusing a three-year-old girl to death at Kampung Rampangi, Santubong, recently.
He said the suspect was detained at Kampung Krian, Jalan Padawan, at 11 am yesterday, following a report of the toddler’s death on Oct 8.
Alexson added that the suspect had six previous criminal records related to drug offences.
The case, he said, is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of 30 to 40 years, and not fewer than 12 strokes of the cane.
