KOTA KINABALU: Police have launched a manhunt for a foreigner for allegedly sexually abusing a four-year-old girl in Sabah’s central Telupid district.
Beluran OCPD Supt Kasim Muda said police received a report from the girl’s mother, who claimed the suspect, a 40-year-old man, had attempted to molest her daughter on Sunday (May 7).
He said the child has been sent to the Duchess of Kent Hospital in the Sandakan east coast district for a medical check-up.
According to the mother’s statement, she had gone out to look for her daughter after noticing she was not at home.
She then saw the suspect and her child walking towards the back alley of a shop.
The woman then rushed over to the spot and allegedly saw the man carrying the child.
On seeing her, it was claimed that the suspect then immediately zipped up his trousers and fled.
"The man was identified as a neighbour who lived nearby," said Supt Kasim, who added that investigations revealed that the man was frequently seen playing with the girl.
"Efforts are underway to look for the suspect to help investigations under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for physical sexual assault on a child," he said.
The charge under the Act provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
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