Woman who accused exco of rape ready for hearing.
DAP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) has yet to meet and discuss the matter involving Perak state executive councillor (exco) Paul Yong, the party’s organising secretary Anthony Loke said today.
Loke, who is also Transport Minister and Seremban MP, said as far as the party was concerned, the matter had not been discussed by party leaders and if there is any decision, it has to be from the CEC.
“We have not met and discussed on that matter….at the moment, we will let the law take its course and we will respect the whole process,” he told reporters.
He said so far there had been no action from DAP against Yong and it will be decided through the CEC meeting.
Perak DAP believes that Yong is innocent on his rape allegations, but the state unit will hold discussions with the party’s central executive committee on Yong’s exco post.
It said this following a meeting today after the Tronoh assemblyman claimed trial to his rape charge, adding that discussions would also be held with Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
“The (issue) of the exco post held by Yong will be decided by the state and central leadership and then (we will) discuss with the menteri besar.
“Perak DAP arrived at a unanimous decision in its meeting earlier today and (we) believe that Yong is innocent and will offer him assistance to clear him (of his charges) and seek justice via legal means,” it said in a statement today.
Perak DAP said that everyone is innocent until proven guilty in court.
“As such, the party respects the procedure of law and will defend justice and fairness to ensure that the trial will be fair to both parties,” said Perak DAP.
Faizal had advised Yong to go on leave pending the completion of his court case.
Yong, however, had refused to do so and vowed to return to work, adamant that he was a “victim and not a criminal”.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old Indonesian domestic worker who accused Yong of raping her is prepared to face the court when the trial commences.
A representative of the Indonesian embassy in Malaysia revealed this when met outside the Ipoh Sessions Court this morning after Yong was charged.
Shabda Tian said the woman is recovering from her alleged ordeal at the hands of her former employer.
“Her mental condition and morale have improved. She is ready and strong enough to face the trial,” he was quoted as saying.
Sabda said the embassy is satisfied with the investigations into the case and thanked the Malaysian police for their cooperation.
“We have been following this case from the start and of course, we have high hopes.
“But we will leave it to Malaysia to handle it,” she said, adding that the case has received widespread media coverage in Indonesia.
Yesterday, Perak state speaker Ngeh Koo Ham filed a police report claiming that the man who took the domestic worker to lodge a police report had received RM100,000 and was threatened by a gun-wielding man not to reveal this.
Yong’s lawyer Ramkarpal Singh had argued that if there was a basis to the claim, then the charge could be dropped.
“There could be a conspiracy planned to defame Yong that cannot be ignored,” he said.
However, deputy public prosecutor Azhar MokhtarAzhar objected and said the report was not to the knowledge of the AG while instructions have been given to proceed with the trial.
Met after the proceedings, Ramkarpal said a representation has been made to the AG to drop the charge.
“It has to be investigated fully. That allegation was made only last night. It would have been impossible for the AG to investigate the allegation before (Yong was charged) this morning.
“That is why we initially urged the DPP to be magnanimous in not pursuing the charge today in view of the allegations made last night,” Ramkarpal said.
Earlier reports:
Aug 23, Exco Has a Hunch Who ‘Framed’ Him
Aug 23, Perak Exco Paul Yong Pleads Not Guilty to Rape Charge
Aug 23, Perak Speaker Lodges Report Alleging Coercion, Bribe in Exco’s Rape Case
Aug 22, Perak Exco Paul Yong May Be Charged with Rape Tomorrow