Insufficient evidence to charge assistant warden - IGP

The assistant warden of a tahfiz school in Kota Tinggi, Johor involved in the alleged abuse of a 11-year-old pupil was released on court bond yesterday due to lack of sufficient evidence to charge him under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the decision was made after a discussion with the Attorney General's Chamber.

"This matter when we brought to be discussed with the Attorney General's Chamber, we found that there was not enough evidence for us to proceed (charge) under Section 302, that''s why the court allowed him (the suspect) to be bailed under court bond.

"The investigation was carried out under Section 302, but whether a charge can be made or not, that is secondary matter," he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the RMP (Royal Malaysian Police) Asset Officer Conference here today.

Yesterday Kota Tinggi Sessions Court Judge Salawati Djambari granted police's application to release the 29-year-old man on a RM20,000 court bond based on Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

In the meantime, Khalid called on parents and teachers to come forward if they have information about children or students getting involved in gangsterism to prevent the negative activity from taking root in schools.

"We know that this problem (gangsterism) exists, we want to solve it at the early stage, we go back to the family institution in addressing the problem (gangsterism), if the parents suspect there are children involved, come and see us (police).

"It''s not that we want to arrest and destroy their future, we need to do something to correct this situation at an early stage before they become victims of the illegal groups," he said.

He said police had also been working closely with the Education Ministry and the Parent-Teacher Association to prevent gangsterism in schools.

Khalid also confirmed that police had arrested three students in Sungai Petani, Kedah on suspicion of involvement in gangster activities today.

Commenting on the arrest of two male Turkish nationals believed to be involved in activities which threaten national security, Khalid said they were now being detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

"I''m not making any comment on what they did, it is certain that they have threatened national security," he added.

Meanwhile, Khalid said RMP will acquire new assets in accordance with the requirements of modern policing such as the use of drones and the latest Information and Communication Technology system.

He said despite the government''s financial constraints, the assets which had reached their maximum lifespan should be replaced with new ones in accordance with the current technology.

"These assets will reach the end of their lifespan, we have to replace them, dispose off and acquire new assets in accordance with the needs of the present...like drones that we need in the modern policing, we need a good CCTV (closed circuit television)...also a good system...face scanning system, vehicle registration number scanning system," he said.

--BERNAMA