Fury as Malaysia’s gang-rape suspects allowed to sit for exams
Malaysians have demanded that four students arrested for allegedly raping another pupil be suspended before they can take their final-year exams, in a case that has horrified a country still coming to terms with a spate of abuse cases in its educational institutions. Police arrested four high school students in southern Malacca state on Saturday…
Police arrested four high school students in southern Malacca state on Saturday for gang raping a 15-year-old girl earlier this month and recording the assault on a mobile phone. The victim was allegedly dragged into a classroom by her seniors as she was retrieving a class science project in the October 2 incident.
The four suspects, all aged 17 and due to sit for their school leaving exam next month, were arrested and placed under six days’ remand.
On Monday, Education Ministry Director-General Mohd Azam Ahmad said the four suspects had been expelled by their school, but repeated the ministry’s earlier decision that they would be allowed to sit for their exam.
“The suspects will not be taking SPM in school. They will [take their exam] either in detention or in a separate location,” Mohd Azam told a news conference broadcast on national television.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek had on Sunday said the suspects would be allowed to sit for the exam to make sure “they are not left behind in their education”.
