Malaysian police say it will today, August 23, charge a member of the Perak executive council led by the Pakatan Harapan for the rape of his Indonesian maid.
In July, the police received a report from the woman stating her employer, who is also an exco member, had allegedly raped her at his house in Meru.
The Democratic Action Party member Paul Yong Choo Kiong maintained his innocence after he was released on bail last month.
Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed confirmed to the local media that the Tronoh state assemblyman would be charged at the Ipoh Sessions Court under Section 376 of the Penal Code with rape.
The police recorded the maid’s statement after she made the report last month. They sent her to a hospital for a medical check-up.
At that time, the police said based on the preliminary evidence of the investigation it classified the case under as rape.
The police also said the 23-year-old Indonesian woman was kept in a safe place until the investigation papers were referred to Bukit Aman and the Deputy Public Prosecutor.
Yong is in charge of the state Housing, Local Government, Public Transport, Non-Islamic and Village Affairs Committee.
Meanwhile, the Perak executive council member Paul Yong has been advised to go on leave until the conclusion of his rape case.
In a statement issued on Thursday night (Aug 22), Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said it was best for the assemblyman to take leave from his official duties.
“In respect of the legal process, I advise Yong to take leave from his official duties, and not take any part in any meetings that involves decision-making until the case is over.
“His performance as the Tronoh assemblyman and state executive council member was satisfactory, and he has always given good cooperation to all and performed his responsibilities, ” Ahmad Faizal said.
“However, the state respects the legal process according to the rule of law and the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty.” -/TISG