Police today dismissed an allegation by a Penang backbencher that they had not acted on 15 reports lodged by a teacher who claimed to have been assaulted by her former boyfriend.

Penang acting police chief Abdul Rahim Jaafar said police have been probing the case since February and that two investigation papers had been opened in the case.

“The police have not remained idle. We failed to trace the suspect even after a raid on his house,” he told reporters after an event to mark the end of training of police volunteer reserve in George Town.

Batu Uban state assemblyperson S Raveentharan yesterday claimed disappointment that the police had not acted against the man who had allegedly assaulted the teacher despite her lodging 15 reports.

The 29-year-old teacher claimed that the man assaulted her, tried to strangle her and attempted to burn her hair after she broke off the relationship as he had allegedly cheated her of RM15,000.

“We believe there are elements of threat and it is our duty to investigate,” said Abdul Rahim.

He said the last report was lodged at the Jelutong police station on Aug 16 when the teacher handed over a photograph of the man and a copy of the handphone text message which carried a threat.

Abdul Rahim said the 32-year-old man was being hunted by the police.

- Bernama