Alleged victim of police rape wants to go home

The Indonesian woman allegedly raped by three policemen in Penang wants the case to be settled immediately so that she can return to her country.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng conveyed this message today after visiting the Indonesian consulate where the 25-year-old is currently residing.

Lim, who made the visit with Deputy Chief Minister I Mansor Othman and state executive councillor Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, said they wanted to give their moral support to the alleged victim, and to Indonesians in general.

Lim (right) was also accompanied by Bukit Mertajam parliamentarian Chong Eng.

Lim said when the incident was made known he was overseas in Australia and was shocked to hear the news.

He said he was not able to see the victim but it did not matter as he did not want her to be disturbed.

He added that he would speak with the Penang police to speed up the case so that the alleged victim could return home as soon as possible.

"This is why we have been asking for the Independent Police Conduct and Monitoring Committee to be set up so the police would not dare to do such things," Lim told reporters.

"We will definitely highlight this case, and will ask what the standard operating procedure is, to prevent such incidents in the future, especially by those who are supposed to protect citizens and non-citizens in the country.

"We totally condemn this heinous act and we stand with the Indonesian people who want to see justice seen and done," he stressed.

Lim then offered the state government's assistance should the woman or consulate needed it.

He added that Indonesians, especially migrant workers, contribute to the country, and should be protected.

Three policemen detained

Lim and his team met with Acting Indonesian consul-general Sofiana Mufidah who confirmed that the alleged victim was in good health.

Three policemen have been detained pending investigation and their remand will end tomorrow.

Sofiana (left) said the woman was undergoing treatment and counselling.

"We are thankful for the support given by the Penang state government. We hope such an incident does not recur.

"What happened is truly very bad, not only for Indonesians but for Malaysians as well," she added.

When asked if this was the first of such cases, Sofiana said she had not heard of such incidents before, and found it shocking as policemen were involved.

"They are supposed to protect citizens and visitors to the country".

On demonstrations in Jakarta following the incident, Sofiana said: "Indonesians feel hurt that one of their citizens or family, has been treated in such a bad manner".

She expressed hope that the case would be treated seriously, handled professionally and that investigations be carried out fairly "not only for Malaysians, or Indonesians, but also for those involved".

No passport

The victim was initially apprehended last week by the three policemen for allegedly not being in possession of her passport. The woman claimed the incident happened about 7am on Nov 9.

In a Bernama report, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman (right) said that a completed investigation report would be forwarded to the deputy public prosecutor for further action, while a special team had already been formed by Penang police to investigate the case thoroughly.

Bernama also reported that state police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi said police have recorded statements from 10 witnesses in the alleged rape.

He also added the investigation papers would be submitted to the deputy public prosecutor soon for further action and the investigation was being conducted transparently without protecting certain quarters.

Meanwhile, Chong Eng said she would raise the matter in Parliament when it debates the 2013 budget of the Home Ministry - which has jurisdiction over the police force.

"We want all Indonesians to know that we stand with them on this. This is not the Malaysian style. We are not like this. Hopefully, the case can be settled quickly so that the victim can go home."