Students involved in alleged gang rape in Melaka school expelled

The Malaysian authorities on Oct 13 expelled four male students involved in an alleged gang rape of a teenage girl at a secondary school in Melaka.

- Hazlin Hassan Malaysia Correspondent

The alleged incident, which was said to have taken place in a classroom after school hours on Oct 2, has shocked the nation and ignited fierce debate over moral education, student discipline and safety in Malaysian schools.

Officials are now scrambling to contain public anger over the government’s handling of the case after the Education Minister said the students involved would be allowed to sit their school-leaving examinations that start in November.

“The school disciplinary board convened today and expelled all suspects involved,” education director-general Azam Ahmad said on Oct 13.

De facto Law Minister Azalina Othman Said vowed on Oct 13 that every rape or sexual crime will be investigated under the Penal Code, regardless of the offender’s age.

“Being under 18 does not mean one can escape punishment for committing a crime. Many people misunderstand this. Wrong is wrong; evil is evil,” she said.

Two of the suspects who allegedly assaulted the victim had reportedly used a mobile phone to record the attack. Two other students were also involved and were said to have acted as lookouts.

All four suspects were remanded for six days starting on Oct 11.