Sex suspect in custody when girl was sent to her mum, say police

Penang police chief Dennis Lim addressed an assemblyman's query regarding the custody of an 11-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually abused by her father. Lim revealed that the welfare department had returned the girl to her mother while the perpetrator remained in police custody. This occurred on October 17, 2021, following the girl's school principal reporting the incident to the police at 11:15 AM on October 16.

The police chief's explanation came after Berapit assemblyman Heng Lee Lee questioned the welfare department's handling of the vulnerable child, urging flexibility and coordination among welfare officers, medical personnel, and police. The girl was initially placed under the care of her paternal grandmother on October 16, as her mother was absent in Singapore.

The accused was arrested around 5:30 PM on October 16 and held in custody until October 24. Subsequently, the girl was taken to Penang Hospital's one-stop crisis center and admitted to the pediatric ward until October 21. On October 17, the welfare department handed her over to her mother, three days before the man's remand period concluded.

On October 24, the suspect was formally charged with sexual assault of a child and the case was set for mention on November 11. Lim cautioned the public against making speculative statements about the case.