Teen detained could be in cahoots with rapists

KOTA BARU - A 17-year-old girl, who is among four people remanded for seven days in connection with the alleged gang rape of a schoolgirl in Ketereh, might have been in cahoots with those responsible.

“We are suspicious of her because she did not lodge a police report over the incident,” said Kota Baru OCPD Asst Comm Azham Othman.

The other three, men aged between 20 and 30, had tested positive for pil kuda (amphetamine).

Eight other suspects were in police custody while more arrests would follow soon, he said.

“We expect to wrap up the case soon. The suspects, numbering between 20 and 30, know each other as they come from the same kampung.

“And we have reason to believe that almost all the suspects were high on drugs when they allegedly committed the crime,” he said at the court complex here yesterday.

ACP Azham also highlighted that the serious problem of amphetamine use was one of the factors that contributed to the rise in rape cases involving minors.

“In Kota Baru district alone, there is an ­average of 16 rape cases a month, the majority of which involve the underaged.

“We believe this is connected with the use of pil kuda among drug addicts and rampant cross-border drug trafficking between Malaysia and Thailand,” he said.

In Petaling Jaya, federal CID deputy director Deputy Comm Datuk Mazlan Mansor said Bukit Aman had made apprehending those behind the alleged gang rape a top priority.