PENANG TO RENEW CALL FOR IPCMC

CONFERENCE... Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at the press conference after meeting with the Acting Indonesian Consul General Sofiana Mufidah (left).

By : OPALYN MOK

GEORGE TOWN : The Penang state government has called for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to be set up to prevent cases like the alleged Indonesian rape case involving three cops.

“The IPCMC will not only provide an avenue for Malaysians but also foreigners such as Indonesians working in the country to channel their complaints against the police,” said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He said the existence of an IPCMC would ensure the reduction of criminal cases involving police personnel.

“It will be a check-and-balance for the country’s police force,” he said.

Lim, who met with the Acting Indonesian Consul General Sofiana Mufidah today, said the state government will stay in close contact with the Indonesian consulate to provide assistance to the victim if needed.

Lim urged the police to speed up the investigations into the case and bring the culprits to book.

“I will speak with the Penang police chief on this case as the victim wants to go back to her country and hoped that the case would be expedited,” he said in a press conference at the consulate.

Lim also said the case is an isolated case but that the state government stands in solidarity with the victim.

“We will offer whatever support or assistance that the victim may need,” he said.

Currently the 25-year-old victim is under the care of the consulate and is now being given counselling.

Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng has also promised to bring the matter up in Parliament.

Sofiana said she was confident that the police would act with full professionalism in handling the case.

Last week, the 25-year-old restaurant worker alleged that she was raped by three policemen at the Prai police station.

The suspects were arrested and remanded until tomorrow.

They are expected to either be charged in court tomorrow or have their remand extended. (TMI)