KANGAR: Passers-by found three teenage brothers, who are believed to be victims of abuse, roaming around Jalan Kampung Tambun Tulang in Simpang Empat here last night.
Kangar district police chief Assistant Commissioner Yusharifuddin Mohd Yusof said two of the siblings were chained together at the ankles, and were believed to be persons with disabilities.
He said police were notified about the case by a person who met the brothers, aged 14 to 16, by the roadside in Jalan Kampung Tambun Tulang at 11.55pm.
"Two of the victims are persons with disabilities, and they were chained together at the ankles. The third victim was not chained. They were found by passers-by as they were heading to Utan Aji from Jalan Kampung Tambun Tulang.
"We believe the three are siblings. Two of them have Person With Disability cards.
"The victims were believed to have been confined and chained in a house by their mother, who did not stay with them," Yusharifuddin told Berita Harian today.
He said the police believe the brothers may have ran away from the house because they could not endure further mistreatment.
"However, we have yet to get all the information because the teenagers refuse to talk. They are currently being treated at the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar.
"Based on initial investigations, the mother had related about difficulties she faced in controlling her three children, which may have led her to chain the victims," he said.
However, he said the brothers were in stable condition and did not show any signs of trauma.
"We have detained the 46-year-old mother and a 31-year-old man, whose relation to the family is yet unknown, to assist in investigations.
"The duo have been remanded for a week until March 31 to facilitate investigations under Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001," he said, adding that the three brothers will be handed over to the Perlis Welfare Department after they complete their treatment at hospital.