MP questions police haste in arrest exco accused of rape
A DAP lawmaker has criticised the police for arresting Perak exco member Paul Yong, who has been accused of raping his Indonesian domestic worker, even before completing their investigations.
“Police must adhere to the cardinal rule of the presumption of innocence in law,” Lim Lip Eng told Malaysiakini this afternoon...
A DAP lawmaker has criticised the police for arresting Perak exco member Paul Yong, who has been accused of raping his Indonesian domestic worker, even before completing their investigations.
“Police must adhere to the cardinal rule of the presumption of innocence in law,” Lim Lip Eng (above) told Malaysiakini this afternoon.
The Kepong MP, who is also a lawyer, pointed out that Yong was not a flight risk nor likely to destroy evidence related to the alleged crime, or a threat to the complainant.
“What redress can the police give him for the wrongful arrest if he is eventually not charged in court?” he asked.
“Police must stop arresting people quickly, and merely based on reports lodged. Arrests can only be made after some incriminating evidence is found by the police,” he added.
Yong (photo), 49, who was arrested yesterday after he went to the police station, has since been released on police bail.
In a statement earlier, the first-term Tronoh assemblyperson denied that he had raped the 23-year-old complainant.
Yong said he was “shocked and baffled” by the accusation.
Perak police chief Razarudin Husain said statements have been recorded from the complainant, Yong and others, including the exco's family members.
He added that both the complainant and suspect underwent medical examinations, while police also conducted a forensic sweep of the exco's residence in Meru, Ipoh, where the alleged rape took place.
The police have classified the case under Section 376 of the Penal Code for rape.
Following the allegation, the Perak palace postponed the annual swearing-in ceremony for state exco members scheduled for tomorrow.
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