Granduncle of abused child shocked by his death
The body of a four-year-old boy believed to have been abused was taken out by his granduncle Ruslan Ahmad (left), 47, from the Sultan Ismail Hospital Forensic Medicine Department room to be buried at Sungai Gatom Cemetery today.
Ruslan Ahmad, 47, said he had not heard anything about Lukman since last month, which was the last time he had met the victim.
He added that he had been taking care of Lukman, who was the youngest of 11 siblings, since last August, when the Social Welfare Department (JKM) handed over the victim to him.
"For three years, Luqman was placed under the care of JKM by the court because his mother was serving a jail sentence. I was recently invited by JKM to look after Luqman, and I agreed.
"In October, Luqman's sister, Tasya said she and their mother wanted to look after him. I was also told that their mother had been released from prison at that time.
"Out of sympathy and compassion, I agreed to hand over Luqman after getting the advice of the JKM," he said when met at Sungai Gatom Islamic Cemetery, Labis, on Wednesday.
Ruslan sprinkled water on Luqman's grave after he was safely buried in Sungai Gatom Islamic Cemetery on Wednesday.
He said Tasya has two young children and wanted to care for Luqman.
"At that time, I didn't think it was bad, I just had good thoughts. However, no reply was received from Tasya on the messages I sent her.
"I was surprised to receive a call from the police on Friday, informing me about the abuse against Luqman," he said.
Meanwhile, the victim's biological brother, Mohd Nasrullah Daniel @ Zainal, 21, was also called up by the police to assist in the investigation.
"My brother is quiet and has had health problems since birth. My brother also speaks slowly, even though he is four years old.
"Even though we are siblings who don't live together and grow up together, we are always in touch using text messages and often help if one of us is facing problems, especially financial," Mohd Nasrullah said.
