Police yesterday arrested an unemployed local man for allegedly outraging the modesty of his sister in-law aged 11 in Permyjaya here.

Miri police chief ACP Khoo Leng Huat said the suspect aged 38, was detained at his residence at 8.10pm.

"The incident happened at 2pm while the victim, a student at a primary school here was sleeping in her room," he said in a statement here today.

He said the girl's father, a 46-year-old karaoke manager lodged a police report after the alleged victim informed him about the incident at 4.30pm.

"Initial investigations found that the victim lives with her sister's family after their parents divorced in 2015," he said.

Khoo said the suspect would be remanded today to assist in the investigation under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years or whipping or fine, or with any two of such punishments, on conviction. -- Bernama