Hunger-stricken girl getting better: Ministry

The seven-year-old girl who was found locked up and hunger-stricken in Sungai Dua, Butterworth in Penang earlier this week, is reportedly getting better after receiving treatment at a hospital.

Based on checks by doctors, the girl before this was in a very weak state as she was malnourished.

Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya, said the hospital will continue to treat the Year One student until her health is fully recovered.

The girl now is being treated at the Seberang Jaya Hospital.

Last Thursday, the girl was found by police in a weakened state and hungry, at a house which didn’t have electricity or water supply.

Subsequently, police detained a 34-year-old man, believed to be the girl’s father, to assist investigations.

Meanwhile, state Welfare Department director Dr Zaitol Salleh, said the child, however, is still traumatised from her ordeal of being locked up and allegedly abused.