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Police have launched an investigation into claims by a Taiwanese tourist that uniformed police officers intimidated, extorted, and sexually harassed her in Petaling Jaya
Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Shahrulnizam Ja'afar confirmed that an investigation has been launched.
The case is being probed under Section 384 of the Penal Code for extortion, reported the New Straits Times.
If convicted, the suspects may face up to 10 years in jail, a fine, whipping, or any combination of the three.
Meanwhile, Kepong member of parliament (MP) Lim Lip Eng told China Press that he had visited the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters, where it was confirmed that the suspects involved were not imposters.
"The identity of the police officers involved has been confirmed, and further action will be taken later," said Lim.
What happened?
In a social media post on Monday, 14 July, the tourist — a singer and livestreamer — said she and her family were heading to the SS2 night market on 7 July when their e-hailing ride was stopped at a police roadblock.
According to her, around seven to eight uniformed officers were conducting the check.
She claimed she was pulled aside after accidentally activating her phone's video function. Officers allegedly accused her of recording them and confiscated her phone. Without it, she was unable to access a translation app, making it difficult to communicate.
She alleged that the officers accessed her phone, reviewed her banking app, and demanded money. She claimed her family eventually gave them RM300 before she was allowed to leave.
One officer also allegedly made inappropriate advances and contacted her after the incident, prompting her to switch hotels and leave the country the next day.
The tourist uploaded this photo with a caption that reads, "Malaysia travel warning".
Image via Instagram