KUCHING: A jobless father-of-six was arrested yesterday on suspicion of raping his own daughter repeatedly since the middle of last year at their home in Petra Jaya here.
The 40-year-old man was picked up by CID personnel from the district police headquarters along with his 36-year-old wife, who is alleged to have witnessed her husband forcing himself on their 18-year-old daughter in the most recent incident this month.
It is also learned that the girl is now seven-month pregnant after a medical check-up at Sarawak General Hospital following the arrest of her parents.
District police chief ACP Abang Ahmad Abang Julai, who confirmed the case, said a police team led by ASP Austin Patrick Angkon was despatched to the couple’s home at Kampung Sinjan at 10.30am upon being notified of the incident.
“Initial investigation revealed that the rapes begun in July 2015 and continued nearly every month until this month, when the man entered his daughter’s bedroom around 3am and raped her.
“It is discovered that his wife, who shares the same room with the victim, witnessed the dastardly act before her but did nothing to stop it,” said Abang Ahmad, adding that the victim was the second eldest of six siblings, comprising one boy and five girls.
Abang Ahmad said the victim, who worked as a coffee shop assistant, had never revealed to anyone about the incident before this, saying that her father threatened to harm her if she did.
“We have notified the Welfare Department about this case and have obtained the service of a counselling officer for the victim,” said Abang Ahmad, adding that police would submit an application of remand application for the suspect today.
He also said the suspect, who during interrogation admitted to having raped his daughter ‘a few times’, tested positive for drugs but did not possess any criminal record.
The case has been classified under Section 376B of the Penal Code.