Court to rule on temporary custody of 6yo Saratok girl after being allegedly thrown into drain by father

Nancy talking to reporters at the ‘Ramadan Prihatin’ programme at the Darul Hana Mosque, Marine Police Force Region 5 Headquarters in Kuching on Feb 28, 2026. Photo: Sarawak Public Communication Unit

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Mar 1: The court will decide tomorrow (Mar 2) on the temporary custody of a six-year-old girl who was injured after allegedly being thrown into a drain by her father in an incident reported in Saratok recently.

In a Bernama news report, Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the Social Welfare Department (JKM) has taken immediate action to handle the case.

She said child protection officers had visited the victim, who is currently receiving treatment at a hospital, and that the case remains under police investigation—adding that the child’s father has been detained to assist in the probe.

“It is understood that both parents are in the process of divorcing and are scheduled to appear in court this Monday.

“The court will determine the issue of temporary custody after carefully assessing the family’s circumstances,” she said to reporters after attending the ‘Ramadan Prihatin’ programme at the Darul Hana Mosque, Marine Police Force Region 5 Headquarters here on Saturday (Feb 28).

Nancy added that if no suitable guardian has been identified, the child may be placed under JKM. Still, she remains optimistic that other eligible family members may be able to assume responsibility for the child’s welfare.

Saratok police chief DSP Mathew Manggie was reported as saying that the child’s mother, who witnessed the incident, lodged a police report.

The 43-year-old suspect, believed to be under the influence of drugs, was soon arrested. — DayakDaily