He was arrested at 3.10pm after the girl’s mother lodged a report on the matter yesterday morning, the New Straits Times reported today.

The action was taken following the circulation of a video clip, which showed the alleged behaviour, on social media since yesterday.

Kuala Muda district police chief Asst Comm Saifi Abdul Hamid was cited as saying that the man would be brought before the court tomorrow morning for a remand order.

He said police also received another report on the incident, besides that lodged by the mother at the Sungai Petani police station at 2.50am today.

He said a preliminary investigation indicated that he was a family friend.

“The man had gone to the woman’s house in Sungai Lalang (in Sungai Petani) at 11pm on Saturday and asked her if he could take the girl out to buy some food. He brought the girl home about two hours later,” Saifi was quoted as saying.

He said after seeing the video on Facebook the mother confronted the man who apologised and fled.

The girl has since been taken to the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital for a medical examination.

The incident is being investigated under Section 14(a) of Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for physical sexual assault on a child.

It carries, upon conviction, a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping.