ALOR SETAR – Police have confirmed that the recent case involving several students from a boarding school in Baling was not a gang rape, but a case of statutory rape involving a minor.
Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said investigations revealed that the 15-year-old victim had separate sexual encounters with each of the four suspects at different times. The acts reportedly took place in an empty classroom and a nearby palm oil estate.
He explained that although the acts appeared consensual, the victim’s age makes it a statutory offence.
“Although the acts were carried out on a consensual basis, the victim is underage and cannot be considered mature enough to understand the consequences,”
said Datuk Adzli when met at his office today.
He stressed that the case has no element of gang rape, as alleged in early social media reports.
Police also clarified that videos found on seized mobile phones did not record the sexual acts but contained other immoral content involving the same individuals.
“We found no evidence that the videos were being sold. However, they had been shared among the suspects and even by the victim,” he said.
One of the suspects, a 17-year-old, was the victim’s boyfriend. Among the four arrested teenagers, aged between 15 and 17, one is a former student who had been expelled earlier. The remaining three are expected to face expulsion soon.
Police have seized several mobile phones, including the victim’s, for further investigation.
Datuk Adzli also urged parents to be more alert and proactive in monitoring their children’s social media and gadget use.
“This case reflects a lack of maturity. Parents must play their role because police cannot monitor what happens in homes. Parental supervision is critical,” he emphasised.
The investigation is ongoing under Section 376 of the Penal Code for rape and Section 8 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for disseminating child pornography.
He also commended the school’s discipline teacher for quickly informing the victim’s parents, enabling a prompt police report to be lodged.
Police earlier arrested four teenagers, including three students and one expelled student, in connection with the case. – NSTP