KUANTAN (The Star/Asia News Network) - A father's bizarre act of chaining his 10-year-old son by the neck to a gas tank for refusing to go to school has caused public outrage, with many people calling for justice for the boy.
The 32-year-old man, who is a soldier at Kem Batu 10, Jalan Gambang in Kuantan, used a steel chain to chain the boy who only had his pants on when he was found.
Kuantan police chief Asst Comm Abdul Aziz Salleh said police were alerted to the boy's plight by members of the public on Thursday (Oct 5).
Police had to break down the door of the house at Indera Mahkota to rescue the boy after no one responded to their knocks.
The boy, who had fainted, was sent to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for treatment.
ACP Abdul Aziz said investigations revealed that the boy was tied up by his father for refusing to attend school on Wednesday.
"We have arrested the father and mother to assist in investigations," he said.
The couple, who are being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act, will be remanded for a week.
A father of two boys, Lee San Seng, 35, said chaining a child by the neck is not the way to treat one's child.
"No matter how naughty and disobedient your children are, that is not the way to discipline or treat them."
"They're human beings and more than that, they're also your flesh and blood," said Lee, who is a salesman.
Housewife Aida Arryani Ismail, 47, was aghast when she read the news.
"My son is 11 years old, so I simply can't imagine something like this happening to him. I'm very protective of my son, and it is just too much hearing of such things," said Aida.
She said even though her husband can be very strict with their children, he would only scold them if they misbehave.
Administrator Cassandra Loo, 46, called such actions inhumane.
"You have to ask if such a parent even loves his children? It simply isn't right," she said.
