KULIM: A farmer detained to assist investigations into the deaths of two children who consumed poisoned crackers has expressed frustration over his time in custody.
On July 7, the two brothers fell ill and were rushed to the hospital after eating crackers contaminated with poison near their home in Kampung Banggol Berangan, Labu Besar.
The farmer was held from July 11 to 18 before being released on bail.
In a Facebook post today, the 33-year-old man expressed his disappointment after being accused of running away from the police.
"I gave full cooperation to the police. When the incident occurred on Sunday (July 7), I asked them if I was being detained but they said I was not. I was only detained after the first death.
"On that day, I was sending my wife and children to my mother-in-law, because I had a feeling I was going to be detained", he said.
The man also voiced frustration with the media, NGOs, and local representatives for not addressing his side of the story, though he praised the police for their professionalism.
In a video posted online, he showed the fence where the crackers were placed, which he said was intended to deter monkeys. He argued that it was unlikely the young children could access the crackers as they were placed inside the fenced area, not along the road.
"It is illogical for children aged two or three years old to be able to take (the crackers). They were placed outside the fence, towards the forest, not the road", he claimed.
The case, which was being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and Section 284 of the Penal Code, is pending a decision to prosecute.