The police will apply for an extension of a man's remand to facilitate investigations into a case involving a seven-year-old girl was held captive and abused at a flat in Sungai Dua here.

The police rescued the Standard One pupil from the unit last Thursday, and detained the 34-year-old suspect who is also her father.

Seberang Perai Utara police chief ACP Abdul Rahman Ibrahim said, as the remand for the suspect ends on Monday, the police would take him to the Butterworth Court to request for an extension to complete the investigations.

On Thursday, the victim was found weak and famished when the police went to the unit which did not have any water or electricity supply.

Abdul Rahman said the girl was undergoing treatment at the Seberang Jaya Hospital, adding that his officers were closely monitoring the child's health.

Meanwhile, a Bernama survey found that the flat where the child was living with her stepmother and the latter's five children, was locked.

The woman and the five children were believed to have left the premises on Friday.

According to a neighbour, the woman, in her 30s, was believed to have returned to her hometown.

Met at a petrol station in Sungai Dua, a former colleague of the suspect said the man had personal problems and was sacked two weeks ago due to disciplinary issues.