ALOR SETAR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Police have arrested a man who allegedly drugged a 12-year-old girl he had befriended on social media before raping her.

Kota Setar district police chief Asst Comm Mohd Rozi Jidin said police would apply for the 24-year-old to be remanded on Wednesday (Oct 12).

"We arrested him at about 3pm (on Tuesday) in a low-cost flat at Taman Setia Jaya in Jalan Langgar. He tested negative for drug abuse," he said.

The man reportedly had sex with the Year Six pupil on numerous occasions after getting to know her on WeChat several months ago.

Her mother learnt of the girl's relationship with the man and took her to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for a check-up on Sunday.

She later made a police report after the hospital advised her that new and old tears were found on the girl's private parts.

It is believed that the girl has been having sex with a few male friends since early this year.