On 8 January 2021, Miri police arrested a 16-year-old girl for alleged involvement in illegal online gambling activities.
She was taken to the police station. She was processed and put in the station’s lock-up. That night, in the lock-up, a male detainee raped her.
On 9 February, the government charged two police officers involved in the case. According to a report in the Malay Mail, the two officers “allegedly allowed the cell of a detainee, Zuraini Razzi Ranni, to remain unlocked and to have access to the key of the cell of the victim”.
The two officers are charged with negligence in the care of a child, resulting in the child suffering abuse and being raped. They are charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001. If found guilty, they could each be fined up to RM50,000 or 20 years in jail, or both.
Since they were charged in open court, the names of the officers are part of the public record. They are Brase Omang, 54, and Edmund Jali, 44. From news reports, we are unclear about the ranks and duties of these officers.
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On 15 February, news reports emerged about further police actions in the case. According to Free Malaysia Today, the following information is from a statement issued by Zamri Yahya, head of the Integrity, Compliance and Standards Department (JIPS) of the Royal Malaysian Police (JIPS-PDRM): “Eleven police officers will be demoted or fired over the rape of a 16-year-old detainee by a fellow detainee at the Miri central police station lock-up on Jan 9.”_
We at the Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances (Caged) have been observing and commenting on the police since the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, Suhakam, concluded on 3 April 2019 that the Special Branch of the police abducted and disappeared Amri Che Mat and Raymond Koh in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
In this case of rape of a teenager in a police lockup and the subsequent police investigation, we have the following positive comments:
- We commend the traumatised teenager and her family for reporting the rape and pressing for justice.
- We commend the police and the Attorney General’s Chambers for filing charges against two policemen
- We commend the speed with which the charges were filed – 30 days after the crime was reported
- We commend the involvement of JIPS, a much-maligned department of the police.
However, we believe much more is needed, as follows.
First, specific to this case:
What are the names and ranks of the officers who are to be “demoted or fired”?
Has any action been taken against the officer who chose to detain the teenager, and the officers who agreed to the detention? (We need hardly add that we are in the midst of a pandemic.)
Second, in broader, local terms:
What structural and procedural changes have been made in the subject police station and lock-up to prevent a recurrence of such negligence, misconduct, and crime?
Have there been any changes to the guidelines police officers use to determine when persons should be placed in lock-ups?
Third, in national terms:
Who were the investigating officers in the case?
How did JIPS come to be involved?
Has any taskforce been formed to study the likelihood of similar cases in other police stations and lock-ups?
Have any directives been issued to other police stations?
How has the Police Commission been involved in the disciplining of the officers concerned?
How has JIPS communicated its findings to the public?
Caged is happy to recognise the speed with which actions have been taken in this case, resulting in charges in court as well as internal disciplinary actions. This is commendable.
Caged reminds JIPS-PDRM that they need to be much more transparent if they are to restore the public’s confidence in the police force which has been so tarnished over the past decade.
There are so many more cases of police negligence and misconduct which should be handled with similar speed and greater transparency. We refer of course to deaths in custody, shoot-to-kill episodes and enforced disappearances. – Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances (Caged)/Facebook
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Sigh, CAGED, sorry if I i sound like an apologist for the PDRM.
But really, I feel we should be happy that action has been taken in the Miri case.
I feel that, in itself, is an improvement over the usual stonewalling – hoping the public’s eye will soon move elsewhere.
Why was action taken by the JIPS?
I will like to think well of that committee – perhaps, they feel that case merits action?