Zuraida calls for harsher penalties for rape of suspects in custody
PETALING JAYA: A minister has called for harsher penalties for those who rape suspects under their care and bring their institutions such as the police force into disrepute by such actions. Commenting on the alleged rape that took place in a Miri lock-up involving a 16-year-old girl last month, housing…
PETALING JAYA: A minister has called for harsher penalties for those who rape suspects under their care and bring their institutions such as the police force into disrepute by such actions.
Commenting on the alleged rape that took place in a Miri lock-up involving a 16-year-old girl last month, housing and local government minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said this was an extraordinary incident as it took place in a police station.
“I propose that the federal government increase the punishment for such offenders who not only commit rape but also bring institutions such as the police force into disrepute.
“It allegedly happened in an honourable institution that has been built to uphold and enforce the national laws, which is what is contained in the oath and promise police personnel take when joining the force,” she said in her Facebook.
The alleged rapist was charged last week under Section 376 (1) of the Penal Code and faces a maximum imprisonment of 20 years and whipping if convicted. The 19-year-old suspect claimed trial to a charge of raping the underage girl at a toilet in the Miri central police station lock-up on Jan 9.
Stressing that the issue “should not be silenced” even though the court had already prosecuted the offender and the policemen on duty had been suspended, Zuraida urged the home ministry and police to provide an update as to whether the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera at the station had been upgraded.
“How long will the police go on using CCTV cameras in lock-ups just for monitoring without a recording function?
“A proper CCTV camera system must be implemented as soon as possible to ensure there is transparency and the police force is respected.”
Sarawak police commissioner Aidi Ismail previously said that the CCTV camera at the police station did not have a recording function.
Zuraida said Bukit Aman and the home affairs ministry needed to provide updates on whether the Miri central police station is already equipped with CCTV that can be used to record and monitor detainees to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
“This is not the first time that such unwanted incidents have been reported in a lock-up,” added the Ampang MP. — Free Malaysia Today