GEORGE TOWN: A 33-year-old Down Syndrome man was splashed with hot water by a woman in a lift at an apartment in Bayan Lepas here on Friday.
Balik Pulau police spokesman said in the incident that occurred at about 9.20am, the victim's younger sister had informed the police, claiming that her brother was splashed with acid by the woman in the lift.
"The victim lives with his 23-year-old sister and other siblings in the same apartment.
"Despite being a person with a disability, the victim can speak well," he said.
The spokesman said the cause of the incident couldn’t be determined as the victim never interacted with the suspect and there were no prior misunderstandings.
He said the suspect who has been identified, lives in the same apartment with the victim.
The spokesman, however, said no arrest has been made yet.
He said the incident happened in the lift when the victim was on his way to his unit on the 16th floor.
"Based on CCTV footage during the incident, only the victim and the suspect were present in the elevator," he said.
The victim was taken to Penang Hospital for treatment.
Medical officers confirmed that the victim suffered burns on the front and back of the right side of his body due to exposure to hot water and not acid as claimed.
The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon.
