Man who allegedly threw niece into river to her death remanded

A man who allegedly threw his five-year-old niece into a river to her death in Kampung Padang, Kota Tinggi, Johor, yesterday has been remanded for seven days to assist in the police investigation.

Kota Tinggi sessions court judge Hafizah Abdul Rajak granted the police’s application to remand the 37-year-old suspect until Sept 28 to assist in investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, Berita Harian reported.

The suspect, who was receiving treatment at Kota Tinggi Hospital, arrived at the courthouse at 9am accompanied by police officers.

The media reported that the man was arrested after he allegedly threw his niece into the river before going on an armed rampage with a machete and chasing the victim’s 40-year-old father.

Kota Tinggi police chief Yusof Othman said police received a report at about 9.30am before arresting the suspect.

A police officer was also injured in a scuffle while trying to apprehend the suspect.

Yusof said the cause of the incident was still under investigation. The suspect was also believed to have mental health issues.

The victim’s body was sent to Pasir Gudang Hospital for a post-mortem and is expected to be buried in Kampung Sayang, Kota Tinggi, after the procedure.