Police have to continue investigations into the alleged abuse of a tahfiz student which resulted in the boy's death, after the investigation papers were returned by the Attorney-General's Chambers, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said.

"Evidence was lacking and the investigation papers were returned to us for improvement.

"The case is still being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder," The Star quoted him as saying today.

The suspect, an assistant warden at a tahfiz school in Kota Tinggi, Johor, was accused of beating Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi, 11, and has been released on bail.

The boy suffered bacterial infection in his legs and arms following the beating, prompting doctors to amputate both his legs. He was to lose his arm, too, but died before the operation.

The 29-year-old suspect, who had served jail time for theft, had been working at the private school since last year.

The school - Madrasah Tahfiz Al-Jauhar (MTAJ) - said "abuse" is not the right term to describe what happened to the boy and that there is no reason for him to have been singled out for beatings.

The boy had been at the school for about two months.

The school also said they never allowed the use of rubber hoses to punish students.

The case sparked nationwide outcry, prompting the government to look into mandatory registration of all privately-run religious schools.

Tahfiz schools are mostly boarding schools where students are primarily taught to memorise the Quran.

They do not come under the purview of the Education Ministry but those registered with the state Islamic affairs department qualify for government aid.