Saifuddin says K'tan cop's statutory rape view personal, slams critics
Published: Sep 23, 2025 1:33 PM
Updated: 6:35 PM
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has described the Kelantan police chief’s statements on statutory rape as merely “his personal opinion” and urged the public not to sensationalise the matter.
According to Berita Harian, the minister said that he was not in a position to comment on the issue, and that Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat had only made the remarks based on existing statistics.
“That is his opinion, and it will remain that for now. It is not for me to offer any comments yet. But he was only offering his insight based on statistics of such incidents that have taken place in Kelantan,” he told reporters after an event in Kuala Lumpur today.
On Sunday, Yusoff suggested that underage girls should also face charges for statutory rape, arguing that most cases of underage sexual intercourse were deemed as consensual.
Saifuddin further criticised the public’s response to Yusoff’s statements and urged that the issue not be sensationalised, as there were no existing plans to formalise or draft new legal amendments based on his suggestions so far.
Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat
“Why has someone’s opinion shaken the whole country? There will be those who agree and those who disagree.
“But are you even certain that his suggestions have been proposed in Parliament and suggested as amendments? There is no such act; it has not even happened. So leave it,” he added.
‘Why so quiet when cop injured?’
Saifuddin also specifically criticised human rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) for their rebuttal on the matter, and highlighted the group’s “selective outspokenness” on certain issues.
He criticised LFL’s silence when a police officer had been injured during an eviction process in Kampung Sungai Baru on Sept 11.
“The group was quick to challenge (Yusoff’s statements). But when a police officer was injured, they were silent.
“It is as though ‘human rights’ only belong to certain individuals… If you want to fight for human rights, you have to fight for all,” he added.
Yesterday, LFL co-founder Latheefa Koya described Yusoff’s statement as “beyond ridiculous”, highlighting the logic behind current laws on rape that do not criminalise female victims.
“Why has someone’s opinion shaken the whole country? There will be those who agree and those who disagree.
“But are you even certain that his suggestions have been proposed in Parliament and suggested as amendments? There is no such act; it has not even happened. So leave it,” he added.
‘Why so quiet when cop injured?’
Saifuddin also specifically criticised human rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) for their rebuttal on the matter, and highlighted the group’s “selective outspokenness” on certain issues.
He criticised LFL’s silence when a police officer had been injured during an eviction process in Kampung Sungai Baru on Sept 11.
“The group was quick to challenge (Yusoff’s statements). But when a police officer was injured, they were silent.
“It is as though ‘human rights’ only belong to certain individuals… If you want to fight for human rights, you have to fight for all,” he added.
Yesterday, LFL co-founder Latheefa Koya described Yusoff’s statement as “beyond ridiculous”, highlighting the logic behind current laws on rape that do not criminalise female victims.
LFL co-founder Latheefa Koya
She also urged the government, particularly the Home Ministry, as well as the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry, to address the contentious proposal and state their stance on the matter.
Yusoff’s remarks have been met by widespread criticism from other NGOs, lawyers, and politicians, including Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and DAP national adviser Lim Guan Eng, who urged the Kelantan police chief to withdraw his suggestion.
Yusoff’s remarks have been met by widespread criticism from other NGOs, lawyers, and politicians, including Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and DAP national adviser Lim Guan Eng, who urged the Kelantan police chief to withdraw his suggestion.
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Why urged police chief Yusoff Mamat to withdraw his suggestion? He should be sacked for not knowing what "statutory rape" means, and its intention to protect minors who won't be in a (mature) position to make informed decision of adult issues as sex.
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