Muda Doubles Down On Criticism After Cops Deny Parading Young Couple

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Muda’s Dobby Chew said the couple should have been led to court via a ‘discreet’ route. (Utusan pic)PETALING JAYA: Muda tonight doubled down on its criticism of the way police handled the court appearance of a young couple in Johor who were alleged to have engaged in an indecent act in a car.
After the authorities denied that they had “paraded” the duo, the party’s human rights bureau chief Dobby Chew said the explanation by the police contradicted their denial.
Seri Alam police chief Sohaimi Ishak had said both suspects, along with those involved in other cases, were led to the court via a normal route.
Chew, who said yesterday that handcuffing a minor was unethical, said this implied that the duo were escorted through a common walkway.
“There were no attempts by the police to forbid the media from approaching and taking photos of the two who were in handcuffs.
“Officers on duty should have taken a ‘discreet route’ and should have ensured no media personnel were allowed to take photos,” he said in a statement, adding that Sohaimi’s response was “regrettable”.
Chew also questioned why the 17-year-old girl was transported together with adults.
The concerns surrounding the use of handcuffs on minors were also “completely unaddressed”, Chew said.
In denying the couple had been paraded, Sohaimi said police did not arrange for photographers to take pictures of the pair.
An internal investigation into any breach of procedures was ongoing, he added.
Chew had yesterday criticised the police over the use of handcuffs on the teenage girl, allegedly caught in a 23-second viral video that supposedly showed her and a 22-year-old man engaging in what seems to be a sexual act in a car.
He said the Child Act 2001 provided clear rules on the treatment of juvenile offenders.
Chew urged police to rope in independent experts, such as the Child Commissioner and Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), to investigate these violations and provide appropriate redress and support for those involved. - FMT

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