Lim Guan Eng calls for apology after Kelantan police chief suggests punishing statutory rape victims

Lim Guan Eng calls for apology after Kelantan police chief suggests punishing statutory rape victims



Lim Guan Eng has condemned the Kelantan police chief’s proposal to punish statutory rape victims who consented to sex, calling it unethical and urging the officer to withdraw the suggestion and apologise. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Monday, 22 Sep 2025 3:43 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 — DAP veteran leader Lim Guan Eng has condemned as “ethically wrong” a proposal by Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat to amend the law so that victims of statutory rape who consent to sex can also be punished.

In a statement today, Lim, who is also the Bagan MP, said the suggestion “clearly forsakes” the duty of a senior police officer to protect women and children from sexual predators.

“Police officers like him bear a fundamental duty to defend and safeguard society, particularly the weak and law-abiding citizens, especially women, children and the vulnerable,” he said.

“How can this be achieved when the rape victim is also penalised together with the culprit?” Lim asked, describing the proposal as “not just misguided but [showing] a complete lack of sympathy, empathy and compassion for girls who are minors and victims of statutory rape”.

Malaysia’s age of consent is 16, and the law treats sex with a minor as statutory rape even if the minor agrees.

Lim said the law exists “to protect young girls from sexual exploitation due to their tender age as they are not mature and knowledgeable enough to be able to decide on their own to consent to sex”.

He noted that similar laws apply in most countries, with the only difference being the specific age of consent.

“What makes Malaysia so different that the victim must be punished merely for giving consent when she is not legally capable to do so?” he asked.

Lim urged the Kelantan police chief to withdraw the proposal, apologise “for his insensitivity towards women and girls”, and focus instead on addressing the rise in rape and statutory rape cases in the state.

Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat was reported yesterday as suggesting that underage girls who willingly engage in sex should also face legal consequences when their partners are prosecuted for statutory rape.

He argued that such a move would deter teenagers from sexual activity, noting that most cases in the state involve mutual consent but current laws focus on male offenders.

Yusoff said he planned to raise the idea with the Attorney General’s Chambers and other authorities for further discussion, amid rising reports of sexual crimes involving minors in Kelantan.

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Perhaps trying to help a judge justify his (judge's) ruling that minors could be equally guilty of 'consensual sex', thus no statutory rape if (especially) the male offender (rapist) HAS A "BRIGHT FUTURE", wakakaka 😂😂😂

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‘Statutory rape is statutory rape’: Azalina rebuffs call to reconsider law



The government remains committed to upholding international standards in cases of rape, particularly those involving minors said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. — Bernama pic

Monday, 22 Sep 2025 7:16 PM MYT


MELAKA, Sept 22— The government remains committed to upholding international standards in cases of rape, particularly those involving minors.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the recent view expressed by Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat was his personal opinion.

“For now, we adhere to the international standard that ‘statutory rape is statutory rape’.

“I don’t think we will be shifting away from that position,” she told reporters after attending the Melaka and Negeri Sembilan-level Anti-Bullying Tribunal Townhall session at the Al-Azim Mosque Auditorium here today.

Yesterday, Mohd Yusoff had suggested that discussions be held on the issue of ‘consensual rape’ cases to consider action against both parties involved, instead of only against the male.

Azalina, however, said any proposal to improve the law could be channelled to the Criminal Law Reform Committee (CLRC).

Meanwhile, she hinted that the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) may hold a townhall session with minors to gather their feedback for the drafting of the Anti-Bullying Bill, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament at the end of this year.

“Perhaps we will do it together with the Children’s Commissioner… we will invite the children, let them speak, and ask for their views because this law is meant for them.

“They may have their own ideas, suggestions, or criticisms. Today’s children are smart, very conscious of social media and other issues… maybe they will give us insights we ourselves are not aware of as adults,” she said. — Bernama