TWO Mongolian women who were allegedly raped by a police officer and their three friends who helped them to file a report should be released from custody and offered protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA), lawmakers said today.

Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah and Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei voiced agreement with the lawyers for the five women who have been detained under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrant Act (Atipsom).

“The continued usage of Atipsom may derail the focus of the primary offence, which is rape,” Maria and Lim said in a statement today.

Instead, the “WPA would prevent the five women from being retained in any form of custody and from unnecessary inquisition into their immigration status”.

“We urge the IPO under Atipson be set aside and the three women should be released. The focus should be on rape investigations and charging the perpetrator without delay.”

Two Mongolian women said they were raped by an officer with the rank of inspector at a hotel on April 10 after they were arrested at a roadblock.

The lawmakers noted that police have said the two women had no valid travel documents and could be involved in the illicit sex trade.

This means that the two women were likely victims and as such, they should not be detained under human trafficking laws, said the statement.

The two Pakatan Harapan representatives also noted that the alleged perpetrator was released on bail while the victims and three whistleblowers were denied equal treatment.

Police said the investigation paper on the rape were submitted to the deputy public prosecutor’s office earlier this week.

Maria and Lim urged police to ensure the safety of women travelling alone as ordered under the MCO’s “one person per car” ruling.

“We must remember (there are) single mothers, single women caring for elderly parents, and women who still travel to work in essential services every day. 

“These women and other vulnerable communities should be able to travel safely at all times without fear of harassment.” – April 23, 2020.