Yeoh urges more survivors to assist in rape probe

More survivors should come forward to assist an ongoing police probe into the alleged rape of several women by a dance instructor in Kuala Lumpur, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh.

Yeoh (photo) said as months have passed since the alleged attacks, information from other survivors related to the case could help investigators gather more evidence.

"For this case, police told me they are still investigating.

"I call on other survivors to speak to cops and assist in the investigation if they have any information," she told Malaysiakini.

Yeoh said in previous cases, action could be taken after more survivors came forward.

"That was what happened in the Sungai Buloh Hospital sexual harassment case," she said, referring to the sacking of a specialist after an internal probe.

On Wednesday, Malaysiakini reported that several women have accused their dance instructor, who is prominent in the dance scene in the Klang Valley, of rape and molest in two separate incidents in 2017 and 2019.

The women lodged police reports in August, a week after the second incident had occurred, prompting arrest.

The survivors of the 2017 incident told police that they decided to report the rape and molest two years later after they learnt that he had allegedly raped other women.

It is understood there will be no prosecution over the 2017 incident. 

Among others, investigators told survivors that the WhatsApp chat transcripts between them and the accused showed they remained cordial after the incident, so the sex was likely consensual.

However, the 2019 incident is still under investigation.

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