Seberang Perai Utara deputy police chief C Tharmalingam said the suspect was arrested at about noon yesterday in Bertam after the boy’s father filed a police report, Bernama reported.

He said the father, who lives in Kelantan and had divorced the child’s mother, had made a video call to talk to him on Friday when he saw his former brother-in-law caning him.

The father said the boy was crying.

The suspect, who has been remanded for four days, stayed in the same house as the former wife.

Tharmalingam said the man claimed he did not abuse his nephew but was only caning him because he cried often.

He said a medical examination found bruises on the child’s legs.