Barat Daya police chief Sazalee Adam said the boys’ biological mother lodged a report yesterday after seeing Facebook posts showing one of the boys eating with his eyes covered, and another photo of both boys sleeping outside their home at an apartment building in Balik Pulau.

Sazalee said investigators later identified the children’s 39-year-old stepmother as a suspect.

The boys told police they had been made to sleep outside after being scolded for burning paper indoors.

They also said their eyes were covered during mealtime because they refused to eat vegetables.

Initial checks found no signs of physical abuse, and both children have been referred to Penang Hospital for further examination.

The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for neglect or exposure of a child in a manner likely to cause physical or emotional injury, which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.