Teacher: Cops ignored 15 assault reports

Since February, a teacher living in Sungai Nibong, Penang, has lodged no less than 15 police reports alleging that her former boyfriend had physically assaulted her, but police have yet to act on these.

The attacks began after she broke up with him, she said, and included beatings, attempted strangulation and even an attempt to burn her hair.

The teacher, 29, also claimed he had cheated her of RM15,000 before she ended their relationship of six years.

Her last report was lodged at the Jelutong police station on Aug 16, and she has also given the police his photo and copies of threats sent by text-message.

In one text-message, her ex-boyfriend is alleged to have said: ‘B****, if you don wan 2 withdraw ur reports or still lodging reports u'll end up in jail. soon check out your car. u'll be arrested for having drugs.’

“(The police) have not even questioned him... I have lost faith in (them),” she said after taking the matter to lawyer and Batu Uban assemblyperson S Raveentharan who called a press conference today at the state assembly building.

He said the teacher fears for her safety, as the alleged attacker is able to find out immediately that a police report has been lodged against him.

As soon as she comes out of the police station, she receives a text-message stating, ‘This is your police report number, what do you want to do now?’

"Where is the leak in the police station ...? Who is the agent who sold the information to the attacker? The integrity of the police is now in question,” said Raveentharan.

“After 15 police reports, how come no arrest has been made? It is either that the police do not know how to do their work or they do not want to arrest him.”

Lawyer threatened as well

Raveentharan said the suspect must have much influence if he is able to prevent the police from taking action.

Citing an example, he said a police officer from Farlim had agreed to help the complainant.

But after she met him at the police station, he told her: "Outside this station, I am just an ordinary citizen, I am afraid for my life too.”

Raveentharan (photo) himself claimed to have received a threat for taking up the teacher’s case in his legal capacity.

“He placed a notice on her car windscreen threatening the life of my 11-year-old son," he said.

"He even identified my son's school and the class in which he is studying. That was when I made a call to Penang police chief Ayub Yaacob, but he was then admitted in hospital."

When contacted, Ayub said in a text-message that he is currently overseas, but that he will look into the matter when he returns next week.

In the meantime, efforts are being made to ensure that the teacher has access to better protection.