Zuraida nudges Home Ministry on lock-up rape
Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin nudged the Home Ministry to ensure there will not be a repeat of the rape incident of a 16-year-old girl at the Miri central police station lock-up.
Zuraida said the incident should not be forgotten simply because the alleged rapist had been charged and the on-duty police officers had also been taken to court over alleged negligence.
The police and Home Ministry need to provide an update on whether the Miri central police station lock-up has been equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) to record and observe detainees to prevent a repeat of the incident.
“This is considering that it was not the first time an unwanted incident occurred in a lock-up,” she said in a statement today.
The victim was raped on Jan 9 at the lock-up by another male detainee even though the cells were segregated by gender.
The teenager claimed her assailant had the keys to her cell.
Police claimed that there was no CCTV recording of the incident as the camera at the lock-up was only for monitoring and there was no recording function.
The alleged rapist initially pleaded guilty but later withdrew his guilty plea.
The two police officers who were charged with negligence are now being defended by the same lawyer acting for the alleged rapist.
Zuraida also urged for an upgrade of CCTVs in police facilities.
“I am of the view that a transformation of CCTVs in lock-ups nationwide is needed to ensure the transparency and integrity of the police,” she said.
Zuraida added that for rape to take place in a police station was unusual when it is the very place where the rule of law should be upheld.
She called for tougher punishment against such offenders who had not only committed the crime of rape but also tarnished the police institution.
