Harian Metro reported acting Kota Kinabalu police chief Syed Lot Syed Abdul Rahman as saying that the victim lodged a police report at 7.51am on May 23 regarding the incident, which occurred at 8am the previous day.

He said the victim and the suspects were students from various schools around Kota Kinabalu and had become acquainted through a WhatsApp group.

The incident is believed to have stemmed from a misunderstanding in the WhatsApp group.

Investigations found that the victim was brought to the scene by two of the suspects before being surrounded and assaulted by the remaining girls.

“The victim claimed she was threatened not to inform her relatives or the police about the incident. The assault was witnessed and recorded by several students and members of the public, and shared online,” said Syed Lot.

The case is being investigated under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting.