From what I have read so far of the alleged rape of the 13-year-old girl, I am disappointed with our leaders. How did the focus turn from rape to citizenship? Who cares if she is Malaysian or Filipina — the more pressing issue here is that she was allegedly raped while under Malaysian custody and by the police no less.

This is what the authorities should be concerned about as the girl is only 13 years old. Rape is a serious crime, what more of a minor.

How can Malaysia demand an apology from the Philippines for assuming wrongly her nationality when we ourselves did not know she was Malaysian and deported her? We only made ourselves look like inept fools for all the world to see.

All those involved in this case should stop the childish tit-for-tat nonsense and get to the heart of the issue: Was she raped?