The boy found tied and chained to a gas tank at his home in Indera Makhota here on Thursday, had contacted his biological father several times to complain of being beaten by his stepfather.

The victim's 36-year-old biological father, who declined to be named, said as soon as he was informed of the matter by his 10-year-old son, he had contacted his ex-wife to confirm the same.

"When I asked her, she said it was normal, because he was mischievous," said the father, who seemed uneasy at being interviewed at the Court Complex here today.

The man, who works at a car wash centre in Melaka Tengah, said previously, his eldest child, aged 16 and the 10-year-old who is his third, were under his care.

However, he claimed his ex-wife had taken the two children without his knowledge when they were housed in a dormitory at a tahfiz school in Melaka, three years ago.

At the same time, he was grateful and happy that the Special Court for Children awarded him temporary custody of the child.

He also hoped to receive permanent custody for the boy and his two elder siblings aged 13 and 16.

"They say they want to live together, and I have no problem keeping them, it's up to them.

"Today I will bring my third child back to Melaka, while his brother will come after finishing his exam," he said, adding that he also had two other children with his new wife.

-- BERNAMA