28-11-2024 (SINGAPORE) A cross-border investigation has culminated in the arrest of a Chinese national in Malaysia’s eastern state of Pahang, following the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl from Singapore, authorities from both countries have confirmed.
The case unfolded when the teenager, a Chinese national studying in Singapore, failed to attend school on November 25, prompting her father to file missing persons reports with both Singapore and Malaysian authorities. Singapore Police Force records indicate the report was lodged at approximately 2:15 pm that day.
Initial police investigations suggest the student had departed Singapore independently via Woodlands Checkpoint on November 24, before the missing persons report was filed. The case took a significant turn when Johor law enforcement, acting on intelligence, tracked the girl to Kuantan, Pahang’s capital city.
In a swift operation on November 26, Malaysian authorities conducted a raid in Kuantan, successfully locating the teenager and apprehending a 22-year-old male suspect, also a Chinese national. Police seized various items during the raid, including mobile devices and clothing as potential evidence.
Johor Police Chief Commissioner M. Kumar confirmed that the suspect faces multiple serious charges, including kidnapping, child sexual assault, and child trafficking. The accused will remain in custody until December 2 while investigations continue.
“We are thoroughly investigating the circumstances and motives behind this incident,” Commissioner Kumar stated, urging the public to refrain from speculation and to forward any relevant information to the authorities.
The teenager is scheduled to undergo medical examination as part of the investigation protocol.
