ACP Peter Umbuas
TAWAU: Tawau police have advised members of the public to delete and stop spreading or making viral a video of an alleged rape case at a school in the district.
Tawau police chief, ACP Peter Umbuas, said, police have received complaints from members of the public over the last two days that a video clip said to be related to the alleged rape case is being viralled in the social media. He advised the public not to spread the video clip as the police will be carrying out further investigation.
“If anyone is found spreading or making viral the video clip, action will be taken against them under Section 233 (1)(A) of the Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Act, which provides for a fine of RM50,000 or one year imprisonment or both,” he said.
Peter also advised those having the video clip to delete it even if they are not spreading it as it is an offence to possess pornographic video, and those caught can be charged under Section 292 of the Penal Code, which provides for a three-year imprisonment or a fine or both.
As to the authenticity of the video, he said, police will have to wait for the results from the forensic department, as video clips can be edited. However, he stressed, it is still an offence to be in possession of such a video.
He also appealed to all quarters not to disturb the six witnesses as police have also received complaints on the matter, as the witnesses and suspects are sitting for Sijil Peperiksaan Malaysia (SPM) examination.
Peter added that through the police school liaison officers, the message has been delivered so that the matter should not happen again, but stressed that even if the victim consented, it is still classified as rape (statutory rape) if the victim is a minor.