GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA - Police have given their assurance to a South Korean church minister whose daughter was allegedly sexually assaulted that appropriate action will be taken against the culprit.

In allaying 39-year-old Y.G. In's concerns that police were slow in investigating the case, Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Azam Abdul Hamid said the suspect, who had since been released on police bail, would be prosecuted soon.

"The prosecution is awaiting the results of the DNA sample taken from the suspect before charging him in court," said Azam.

"We will arrest the suspect, also a South Korean, if he attempts to disturb the family."

He was commenting on In's dissatisfaction over what the foreigner had perceived as slow action on the part of police in bringing the alleged offender to justice.

On the delay in prosecution after conducting an identification parade, Azam said police could not rely solely on the judgment of the victim, who is only 3 1/2 years' old.

"At such a tender age, the victim had no idea what the parade was about.

"The victim relied on her parents to identify the suspect and this cannot be admitted as evidence in court.

"We have to depend on the DNA results to confirm the identity of the suspect," he said.

Azam said police were fully aware of the suspect's whereabouts and would contact Interpol should he leave the country.

In, his wife and daughter were in Penang as part of an outreach programme with members of his church.

The family was at a South Korean church in Pulau Tikus when the incident took place at 4.30pm on July 27.

In's wife, who usually has the couple's daughter with her, was speaking to members of the church when the suspect was said to have led the girl to the toilet.

This was said to have been seen by a female member of the church, who did not think anything of it.

When the girl returned screaming that her private parts hurt, her mother removed her pants and found bloodstains on them.

When asked who had hurt her, the girl was said to have pointed to the suspect, who then fled the scene.