A five-year-old girl has died after she was allegedly thrown into a river by her uncle in Kampung Padang, Tanjung Sedili, in Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia.
Police said the girl’s 37-year-old uncle has been arrested and remanded for seven days, until Sept. 28, as investigators probe the case under Section 302 of Malaysia’s Penal Code for murder.
The incident happened on Sept. 21. Police received a report at around 9.30am about a man who was allegedly running amok while armed with a machete and chasing a 40-year-old man.
Initial investigations indicated that the suspect had allegedly thrown his five-year-old niece into the river before the confrontation. The 40-year-old man being chased was identified by police as the girl’s father.
When police arrived, a struggle broke out as officers attempted to apprehend the suspect. One police officer was injured during the confrontation, but the suspect was eventually arrested.
The girl’s body was recovered and sent to Kota Tinggi Hospital before being transferred to the forensic department at Pasir Gudang Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
The suspect appeared in court on Sept. 22 after receiving treatment at Kota Tinggi Hospital. Sessions Court Judge Hafizah Abdul Rajak granted the seven-day remand order to allow police to continue their investigation.
Police have not established a motive. Authorities said the suspect is believed to have mental health issues, but the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. That reported belief should not be treated as a confirmed explanation for the alleged act.
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against the suspect have not been tested in court.
