NEWS portal Malaysiakini and China Press will be summoned by the Home Ministry over their “inacurate” articles on Deputy Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani’s remarks on a rape threat made against a 17-year-old schoolgirl.

The ministry, in a statement, said it is taking the inaccurate reports seriously and will be calling up both publications for an explanation.

No date, however, was given.

Earlier today, Bukit Aman issued a statement to deny that Acryl made light of reports of teen rape by describing them as “a joke”.

“Every report that we receive will be looked at seriously,” the Bukit Aman statement read, adding that no report is treated as a joke.

“The headlines from the two news outlets have created confusion as they did not represent the true meaning that was made during the press conference.

“It is the media’s responsibility to avoid the wrong perception among the public as investigations are ongoing.”

The statement referred to two articles published on Malaysiakini’s website on April 26 with the heading “Deputy IGP describes rape threat against teen as maybe a joke” and the China Press heading, “Pelajar wanita dihina bergurau”.

Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah said Acryl’s remarks did not only trivialise the imminent threat to schoolgirl Ain Husniza Mohd Saiful but also appeared to condone violence against women.

Over the weekend, Ain Huznisa had written on social media that her physical education teacher had made jokes about rape, including telling boys in class that if they were to commit rape, they should target victims aged above 18.

Following the post, she said she received an audio message from a male classmate who was unhappy about her expose and had threatened her.

She lodged police reports against the teacher and classmate.

Ain’s father, Saiful Nizam Ab Wahab, in a Facebook post today, said the classmate who made a rape threat against his daughter had apologised.

“Children will make mistakes and act wrongly. When they are willing to accept their mistakes and sincerely apologise as well as promise to change, we forgive them.

“May this be a very meaningful lesson in his life,” Saiful said, urging that the matter be put to rest. – April 27, 2021.