MELAKA: A 36-year-old housewife has been detained by Melaka police for allegedly scalding her daughter with hot water after discovering the child had used her cosmetic set.
According to a source, the incident occurred at around 8pm on Thursday (March 20) at their home in Batu Berendam.
The suspect became enraged upon seeing her make-up set had been used and began striking her 10-year-old eldest daughter with a portable massage device before throwing two glasses of hot water on her.
The matter came to light when the child’s 40-year-old teacher, who also lodged the police report on Friday (March 21), noticed that the pupil was wearing regular clothing instead of her sports attire at school the following day.
When questioned, the girl revealed to the teacher that she was in pain.
A subsequent examination uncovered bruises on her hands, prompting the teacher to take her to the staff room for further inquiry.
The victim then recounted the incident, explaining that she had been playing with her mother’s cosmetics when she was attacked.
At the time of the assault, her two siblings were asleep.
She also informed her 33-year-old father about the incident, but no immediate action was taken.
The teacher attempted to contact the father, but her calls went unanswered. Concerned for the child's well-being, she took the pupil to Melaka Hospital for medical attention.
Following an investigation, the suspect was arrested on Friday (March 21), and a remand order was obtained from the Ayer Keroh Magistrate’s Court on Saturday (March 22).
Melaka police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar confirmed the arrest and revealed that the case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.
