Teen severely beaten in case of mistaken identity

New Straits Times

10-05-2025

SEREMBAN: A Form Five student sustained serious injuries after he was allegedly beaten by a group of men in Paroi in what is believed to be a case of mistaken identity early yesterday morning.
The incident occurred at around 1am, leaving the teenager with a fractured cheekbone and nose, lacerations to the head, bleeding in the eyes, and other bodily injuries.
According to the victim's father, who requested anonymity, the assault stemmed from an earlier altercation involving his 17-year-old son's friends in Taman Perwira.
He stressed that his son had not been involved in the dispute.
"One of the individuals from the earlier scuffle, known as Adam, was later involved in a road accident in Senawang and has since fallen into a coma. Adam's siblings suspected the accident was linked to the scuffle and wrongfully believed my son was involved," he said.
The father, in his 50s, expressed his dismay over the group's actions, saying that they had taken the law into their own hands.
"Adam's siblings and their friends rounded up my son and three other teenagers. My son was the last to be taken – forced into a car and beaten en route to a location in Paroi. When they arrived, about 20 men in their 20s were waiting. They beat him until he urinated on himself."
Following the assault, the boy was brought to Adam's family, where some individuals who had witnessed the earlier scuffle confirmed that he was not involved.
Adam's family later apologised and took the victim to a private clinic for treatment.
"They didn't dare take him to a government hospital. I was told the clinic issued a referral letter, but the letter was never given to my son," the father added.
He said his son contacted him at around 3am, claiming he would be staying at a friend's house.
"I found it odd, and after some pressing, my son admitted he had been in an accident. I didn't ask further due to his condition, but something felt off. It wasn't until around 12.30pm yesterday that his teacher called and told me he had not been involved in any accident.
"I checked his phone and found photos of the assault and WhatsApp messages among his friends. That's when I realised what had really happened and immediately lodged a police report."
He said doctors believe some of the facial injuries might have been caused by a blunt object, and the teenager was also kicked multiple times.
"I hope the police conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable. I will not hesitate to take legal action," the father said.
Seremban district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Hatta Che Din said that a police report had been received and investigations are currently ongoing.