Sarawak police chief Mancha Ata said 12 reports had been lodged against the suspect, who is in his 40s, The Borneo Post reported.

“The victims have been identified as children with disabilities, including those with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and autism,” he was quoted as saying.

The man has since been placed under remand and is being investigated under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792), which provides for up to 20 years in prison and caning if convicted.

A further five years in prison and two strokes of the rotan could be meted out on the suspect under Section 16 of the same Act, if convicted.

Mancha also said a secondary school teacher was arrested yesterday for allegedly molesting three students aged between 14 and 15.

He said three reports were lodged against the suspect, who is also in his 40s. The teacher has also been placed under remand and is being probed under Sections 14(a), 14(c), 15(f), and 16 of Act 792.