Police keep mum on probe into alleged sexual assault
GEORGE TOWN: Police remain silent about their findings into an Uber driver’s alleged sexual assault case and the subsequent attack on him earlier this week.
The 29-year-old driver was alleged to have pulled down his trousers and showed his private parts to a 43-year-old Vietnamese woman and placed her hand on them while ferrying her from Lintang Paya Terubong to Jalan Argyll at 4pm on Tuesday.
It is believed that the woman filmed the incident on her cellphone.
The alleged indecent behaviour of the driver angered her 37-year-old husband who, with 10 others, attacked the driver the following day.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Anuar Omar refused to reveal details of the investigation.
“We have confiscated two cellphones, including that of the woman, to assist in our probe.
“They have been sent to the Forensic Unit, but we have yet to receive any report,” he told the New Straits Times.
Anuar said police would finalise the investigation papers soon, after which they would be referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office for further action.
Police have detained the Uber driver, the Vietnamese woman, her husband and five of his friends, aged 29 to 37, for questioning.
The driver, the husband and two of his friends were remanded until tomorrow while the others, until Monday.
The driver and the Vietnamese woman were remanded under Section 354 of the Penal Code for assault or use of criminal force to a person with intent to outrage modesty. The six men were remanded under Section 148 of the same code for possession of weapons or missiles during a riot.
Netizens have called for calm following the incident, and said the matter should be left to the police to investigate.
They also urged that it not be turned into a racial issue.
Netizen Marcus Bong said “Dua pihak kena siasat, adil, hukum yang buat salah!”(Both sides should be investigated to be fair and action should be taken against the culprit).
Gilbert Goon said: “Can’t tell who’s right or wrong, no evidence. But still good job, police, bring all of them to face justice!”
Suffian Azizan said: “This is why uncivilised acts of vigilantism is never good. Let the court of law decide. Not your on-thespot emotional judgments.”
Echoing Suffian’s sentiment Netizen Jay WS said: “Mob justice must stop. Those who bashed the alleged perpetrator must be put on trial. Don’t take the law into your own hands. This will lead to bigger problems.”