Kota Setar police chief Syed Basri Syed Ali said the student was approached by an unidentified man on a motorcycle at about 8.25pm.

“The victim was walking along a lane in town when the suspect stopped his motorcycle in front of her and grabbed her and covered her face with his hand.

“The victim managed to escape after biting the suspect’s hand. She ran to a nearby tuition centre to seek help,” Bernama reported Syed Basri as saying.

He said the victim lodged a police report today. The case is being investigated under Section 363 of the Penal Code for kidnapping, read together with Section 511 on attempts to commit offences, and Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for sexual assault.

“We have also sought assistance from the Kedah police headquarters’ criminal investigation department to collect forensic samples from the scene.

“Efforts to trace the suspect are ongoing and members of the public with information on the incident are urged to contact police immediately,” he said.