MUAR: A 12-year-old boy has been remanded for four days after allegedly bringing and setting off a firecracker at a primary school here.
Muar OCPD Asst Comm Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said the incident occurred at about 11am on Tuesday (Sept 29).
He said the boy was injured in the incident and was taken to Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital here for treatment.
“Medical examinations found that the pupil had suffered burns to several parts of his body and was given treatment.
“An initial psychiatric assessment was also conducted before he was allowed to continue treatment as an outpatient,” he said here on Wednesday (Sept 30).
ACP Raiz Mukhliz said after the incident, the school immediately instructed pupils to gather at a safe area before seeking assistance from the police.
He said the Muar district police headquarters’ bomb disposal unit conducted a safety inspection at the scene while forensic examinations were carried out by the Johor police contingent’s forensic unit.
“No other explosive threats were detected around the scene,” he said.
He added that initial investigations led to the boy being detained to assist investigations.
The police also searched the school and the boy’s home and seized several items believed to be linked to the incident for further analysis.
Six witnesses have so far come forward to give statements.
The police are identifying other individuals who may have information about the incident.
“Initial investigations found that the pupil was believed to have been influenced by content related to violent incidents that he had watched on social media.
“Further investigations are being conducted to determine all the factors that led to the incident,” he said.
ACP Raiz Mukhliz said the case was being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code as well as Sections 6 and 8 of the Explosives Act 1957.
“The boy was brought before the Muar Magistrate’s Court where a four-day remand order was obtained, running from Sept 30 to Oct 3, to facilitate further investigations,” he added.
ACP Raiz Mukhliz advised parents and guardians to pay closer attention to the activities and content accessed by their children through social media and the Internet.
He also urged the public to immediately inform the authorities of any suspicious behaviour or matters involving dangerous materials.
“Police also advise the public not to share photographs, videos, the identity or personal information of the pupil involved, as the case concerns a child and investigations are still ongoing,” he said.
