Police have confirmed ending their investigation on allegations that an associate professor at the University of Malaya (UM) had sexually assaulted a student there.
Kuala Lumpur CID chief Nik Ros Azhan Abdul Hamid said this was because the suspect has already faced disciplinary action from the university.
“We have referred the case to the deputy public prosecutor (DPP) on Aug 13 and the DPP said there will be no charges against the suspect.
“This is on grounds that the suspect has already faced disciplinary action from UM that was triggered by the victim’s complaints.
“The victim previously made a police report at UM and UM had conducted investigations and took action against the (associate) professor.
“He has been demoted and has retired in June, if I’m not mistaken,” Nik Ros told Malaysiakini today.
He said the investigation was conducted under Section 354 of the Penal Code that pertains to the use of criminal force on a person with the intent to outrage modesty, and the police have already recorded the necessary statements.
Upon conviction, an offence under Section 354 is punishable with up to ten years’ imprisonment, with a fine, with whipping, or any combination of two of the punishments.
Malaysiakini has contacted the university’s corporate communications unit for comments regarding this development.
On July 15, a UM student who identified herself as ‘Ching’ lodged a police report on the matter after accusing the university of failing to take effective action against the lecturer and refusing to divulge the findings of its internal investigations.
The alleged offence supposedly took place at the associate professor’s office on campus on June 3, 2019, and involved physical contact with the student.
The next day, the university said it already took action against the alleged perpetrator.
UM vice-chancellor Abdul Rahim Hashim said the alleged perpetrator was suspended, brought before the disciplinary committee, and punished as per the Disciplinary Rules for Statutory Bodies.
“However, we would like to clarify that university authorities are bound by operating procedures that stipulate the university must maintain the confidentiality and privacy of all parties involved,” he said.
Earlier, today, Ching, the Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth president Yap Wen Qing, and two Pakatan Harapan MPs held a press conference at the Parliament building to urge for the case to proceed.
Klang MP Charles Santiago said the student felt her rights have been infringed on and she has not been given justice.
Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah said she was informed that police had contacted Ching by phone to inform her of the developments on the case.
Ching, who was wearing a face mask and sunglasses, did not speak at the press conference. - Mkini
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