KUALA LUMPUR: A couple was arrested for allegedly torturing a four-year-old girl who is under their care.
Kajang district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zaid Hassan said police received a report on a child abuse case at 12.14am today.
"The case is believed to have happened on July 18 at a house in Beranang, Selangor.
"The complainant, a 20-year-old man, claimed a husband and wife had abused or injured their foster child," he said in a statement today.
He said acting on the report, police rescued the victim at 2.30am and arrested a Malaysian woman as well as a Singaporean man from a house in Beranang, Selangor.
"Suspects are aged between 28 and 30. They have been remanded for seven days until July 28 to assist investigation under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001."
Zaid said suspects were accused of beating the victim with a hanger and a broomstick, and burned her with cigarette lighter.
He said the initial investigations showed that the incident happened because the victim refused to eat rice.
"The victim doesn't like to eat rice. The suspects were believed to have forced her to swallow the rice, which caused her to vomit, and she is said to be hyperactive.
"The victim's biological parents are Indonesians. Because of that, she does not have a valid identity documentation.
"The victim's mother handed her over to the suspects in April because they could no longer afford to raise her daughter," he said.
He added that the victim has been taken to Kajang Hospital for treatment and a doctor confirmed that there were injuries on her bodies.
He urged those with information on this case to contact the investigating officer Inspector Suresh Krishnan at 017-4333795 or channel the information to the nearest police station