Police detain three Sukma athletes for alleged rape

KUALA LUMPUR - The police have detained three teenage Malaysia Games (Sukma) handball players to facilitate investigations into the rape last Wednesday, of an additional officer of the women's handball squad.

The suspects were picked up on Friday, following a report by the 19-year-old victim at the Serdang police headquarters, a day earlier.

According to the victim, she alleged she was raped at the sports village in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

District police deputy chief DSP Lam Chien Fei said the suspects, aged between 18 and 19, were remanded for seven days to facilitate investigations.

The case has been classified under Section 376 of the Penal Code for rape. Upon conviction, the trio could be jailed for a maximum 20 years, and imposed whipping.

It is believed the girl had claimed she went out for drinks with a group of friends on the night of the alleged rape.

Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin denied a newspaper report which stated the victim was an athlete with the women's handball team in Sukma 2013.

He was speaking to reporters after the Sukma 2013 rugby match between Kelantan and Melaka in UPM.

Khairy also suggested stern action against the sports council and association, including suspension of errant athletes, coach and manager, if they were found to have brought liqour into the games village at UPM.