KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — The father of an abused and starved girl found on the streets at 3.40am on October 9 has yet to come forward to assist in investigations. Police said the man had been established as the prime suspect in the case and efforts to trace him were ongoing.

The case sparked widespread concern when it was reported that the girl was found waving helplessly at passing cars near Jalan Air Jerneh in Setapak.

Mechanic Yusri Abdul Halim, 42, who was on his way home from work, came to her aid.

The girl, who was initially thought to be four-years-old, is actually six, police said.

Police verified the girl’s age after a woman claiming to be her mother surrendered herself at Bukit Aman police headquarters on Friday morning.

City deputy CID chief ACP Khairy Ahrasa said police have yet to decide whether the remand order on the guardians, who were detained the same day the woman surrendered, would be extended.

The guardians, in their 40s, who live in Setapak, had failed to lodge a police report despite knowing of the girl’s disappearance.

“We may extend the remand order as we are still trying to locate the girl’s father to shed more light into the case,” Khairy said.

The case is being investigated under Section 31 (1) of the Child Protection Act.

Police released a photograph of the girl last week to seek public help to track down her parents.

Medical reports suggested that the girl, who had old scars all over her body, could have been abused over the past six months.

The medical report also showed injuries to her private parts.

The girl is believed to have been physically and sexually abused with pliers, spanners and screwdrivers.

A staff from Kuala Lumpur Hospital last week told The Malay Mail the girl remained silent and fearful throughout her stay there.