KUANTAN: The Pahang Welfare Department is trying to ascertain if the four siblings of a 10-year-old boy who was found chained to a 25kg gas cylinder at the family home on Thursday have suffered abuses as well.
Its director Zulkhairi Zainol Abidin said his officers would carry out an in-depth investigation, which includes interviewing the boy’s biological mother and the family’s neighbours.
He said this would help give a clearer picture about what has happened to the other four siblings, aged between 2 and 16.
“If there had been abuse inflicted on them or they had been neglected, the (state welfare department) will take appropriate measures under the law in order to save them. At this time, we have not had the opportunity to interview their biological mother as she is traumatised,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zulkhairi said the boy’s biological father’s request to take in and look after the victim can only be determined by the court and not something that he could decide to do on his own.
“In light of the fact that the matter has become a police case, the victim’s father cannot just come and take him away just like that. However, we have taken note of his request and will investigate (the possibility) including by looking into the (biological) father’s financial stability and life.
“The court will determine custody rights to the victim based on the report prepared by us,” he said.
He added that the boy will be placed in a department shelter after he finishes undergoing treatment at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital.
On Thursday, the boy was discovered chained to the gas cylinder at the house in Indera Mahkota 1 at 10am.
It was reported that the boy’s stepfather had allegedly chained him there after he refused to attend school.
Alerted by neighbours, a police team was forced to break down the gates to rescue the boy, who was lying naked and unconscious on the floor.
On the same day, the boy’s 37-year-old biological mother and 32-year-old stepfather were arrested by police and later remanded to facilitate investigation under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act (Amendment) 2016.
However, the mother had since been released on police bail.
keywords: boy chained to gas cylinder, checking on sibling, Welfare Department, Pahang Welfare Department director Zulkhairi Zainol Abidin