Petaling Jaya district deputy police chief Supt Ku Mashariman Mahmood said the incident took place in Desa Menteri on Nov 3.

The girl was at home alone when the 45-year-old man, whom she knew, came on the pretext of wanting to return her face mask.

“While in the house, the man insisted on the girl sitting beside him before he began to molest her,” said Ku Mashariman. The man ran away when the girl screamed repeatedly, after which she contacted her aunt.

Ku Mashiraman said the man was approached by the victim’s aunt and her husband, but he tried to escape. “A fight ensued but the suspect was subsequently arrested.”

He said the suspect who worked as a forklift driver was remanded for seven days. Under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 he could face a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping if convicted.