Police take statements of confined woman's sibling - Mazlan

Police are in the process of taking statements from family members of a mentally disabled woman who was found confined in a small room under the house in Tumpat on Friday to assist investigations.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Mazlan Lazim said police yesterday took the statements of the elder brother and sister of Nasitah Yahya, 44.

"We will also seek the statements of other relatives. The disabled woman is among seven siblings," he told reporters after the handing over of duties of the Kelantan police chief here today.

He said further action included the possibilities of arresting those involved in the case based on the statements and investigations being conducted.

Mazlan said the case was being investigated under Section 342 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement, which carries a maximum jail sentence of one year or fine up to RM2,000 or both upon conviction.

Earlier, the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and police found Nasitah confined in a room measuring 5.8 sq metres and two metres high in Kampung Pasir, Pekan Hulu, Tumpat.

She was believed to be left in such a condition over the past 10 years after her parents died.

Nasitah is now warded at the pyschiatric ward of Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZII) here for further treatment.

Mazlan, who was previously deputy Kelantan police chief, was appointed the new Kelantan police chief to replace Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman who was made Sabah police commissioner.