They believe the parents had not sought treatment for their son who was hurt after playing near a burning garbage heap in Kampung Parit Kuchi, Pontian, on Dec 30 last year.

Johor police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the investigation papers would be handed over to the deputy public prosecutor for further action.

He said the couple, aged 36 and 33, was arrested at 2am last Wednesday while giving statements at the Pontian district police headquarters. They were later released on police bail.

“Preliminary investigations found that the parents deemed it sufficient to buy medicine for the child at a pharmacy.

“Perhaps they saw their child was holding up well with the self-medication.

“However, the investigation is still being carried out under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001,” he said at a press conference at the Johor police contingent headquarters here today.

Kamarul said the nine-year-old child was still receiving treatment at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital here and was reported to be in stable condition.

Last Wednesday, Pontian police chief Shofee Tayib said there were burns on the child’s body, left arm, both thighs and right ear.

He said the parents did not take the child to the hospital despite the burns. A friend of the mother later lodged a police report about the matter on Tuesday.