ALOR SETAR: Police here are hunting a 33-year-old man who allegedly abused his two stepdaughters, says Kota Setar district police chief ACP Ahmad Shukri Mat Akhir.

       He said that the two girls are in Year One and Year Three and added that on Tuesday (April 26) a teacher of the older girl suspected her pupil was a victim of abuse .

       "At 10.15 am (on Tuesday), the victim's teacher noticed bruises on both cheeks of the victim and when asked, the victim said she had been beaten by her stepfather," said ACP Ahmad Shukri.

       "The teacher then reported the matter to the student counsellor and school administration before it was referred to the Alor Setar Social Welfare Department for further action," he added in a statement on Thursday (April 28).

       ACP Ahmad Shukri said that Department personnel went to the school before lodging a police report at the Alor Setar police station on Wednesday (April 27).

       He added that the Department had brought the victim and her sister who is from the same school when making the report.

       "The statements of teachers and Department officers who received the initial complaints have been recorded. Interviews with both siblings revealed that they were beaten by their stepfather," said ACP Ahmad Shukri.

       He said both sisters were taken for a medical examination to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital here.

       "The Year Three student suffered head injuries, swellings and bruises on both cheeks as well as bruises on her back as a result of being kicked by her stepfather. There were old scars on the forehead of the Year One victim,” he said.

       Ahmad Shukri said the medical officer who examined both sisters confirmed that the injuries suffered were the result of beatings and they were currently warded for further monitoring.

       "The case is being investigated under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001," he added.