POLICE suspect an object was used to penetrate the anus of an 18-year-old boy who became brain dead after he was assaulted by boys his age last Friday night.

 Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Anuar Omar said a rectal swab had been done, but police  suspect an object was used to penetrate the student’s anus. 

He said police officers would scour the scene to locate the object.

“We are considering an investigation under Section 377C. It depends on the doctor’s report on what object was used. 

“Then, it will depend on whether the prosecution will approve (of the additional charge),” he told reporters at the district police headquarters today.

Section 377C of the Penal Code deals with committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature without consent.

For now, Anuar said the case was being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting with weapons.

 “A murder probe is possible, but only if the victim dies.” 

On why the victim’s family only learnt of the injuries to his private parts more than a day after he was declared brain dead, Anuar said the discovery was made by a specialist who checked on the victim on Sunday.

He said the specialist found bleeding in the victim’s anus, indicating that some object had penetrated the victim.

The teen was with another boy, aged 19, at a burger stall in Island Glades near his home in Taman Tun Sardon late on Friday when the assault took place.

It is learnt they ran into two former schoolmates, who began to tease them. 

After being told off by the victim, the two suspects called up several friends to the scene. After three more boys turned up, the victim was taken away to a nearby field and assaulted.

By the time he was taken to the hospital early on Saturday, he was unconscious and declared brain dead shortly later. 

Anuar said one of the boys, who is believed not to have participated in the assault, had called his elder brother to send the victim to Penang Hospital.

“But the victim, suffering from head trauma, had slipped into a coma. 

“According to the victim’s medical records, he had been undergoing treatment for a growth in his brain,” he said, adding that the hospital had yet to reveal the cause of the victim becoming brain dead.

However, Anuar said investigations were almost completed, with all suspects involved detained. 

He said there were only five teenagers, aged 18 to 17, who had allegedly beat up the victim late on Friday.  

The five were detained over the weekend. Police have secured remand extensions for all five – one more day for two 17-year-old secondary schoolboys – and three days for the three 18-year-olds. 

Two of the older boys are college students and the other is unemployed.

Anuar said police had also requested their respective schools and colleges to send reports on their records and performances.  

“We found no gangsterism elements in this case. The boys used to know each other in school. They used to bully the victim even then.

“The boys admitted hitting the victim when questioned by the police. 

 “It started when the two ex-schoolmates ran into him and started to tease him, calling him ‘pondan’ and a coward. They teased him about his moustache,” he said.

Anuar also said the police had recorded the statements of several witnesses, including five doctors and the victim’s friend who was with him at the burger stall but managed to escape.

“The teen has been very helpful to the police in the probe. He identified all the suspects.

“He suffered some facial injuries after being hit with helmets. He is also being treated at Penang Hospital,” Anuar said.

Yesterday, the victim’s family called a press conference highlighting his assault and the injuries he suffered, after learning that he also suffered injuries to his private parts.

The victim’s uncles and aunts described the boy as gentle, kind, and ambitious. He wanted to be a music composer and was about to sign up for a course.

Family friend and lawyer Baljit Singh urged the police to investigate thoroughly and keep the family informed.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh and Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer, both lawyers, also visited the family to offer support and assistance.

Today, Ramkarpal said in a statement that the incident was “most vile and seems to have been unprovoked”.

 He urged the police to probe into incident from all angles, not limited to the attempted murder and sodomy of the teen but also the victim’s escaped friend’s assault.

“It is not merely a case of ragging or bullying, as widely reported, but quite possibly one of attempted murder, particularly when it appears as though the victim was overwhelmed by the number of his assailants. 

“Furthermore, there seems to be evidence of injuries indicative of sodomy which must also be investigated. The extent of his severe injuries suggests his assailants were well aware that their actions could possibly result in his death, which is something that cannot be ruled out at this stage.

“Of equal importance are the investigations into the victim’s friend’s case who was clearly assaulted and is currently traumatised by the incident,” he said. – June 13, 2017.