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Malaysia

Malaysian mother in postpartum period detained for four days due to authorities’ misunderstanding

In Malaysia, a postpartum mother, Liew Jin Yih, known as Nichole, endured four days of trauma in police custody due to a misunderstanding.

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1 year ago

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MALAYSIA: In a concerning incident in Malaysia, a mother in the postpartum period endured four days of trauma in police custody due to a misunderstanding among authorities.

Liew Jin Yih, known as Nichole, aged 25, was only released on September 7th after being remanded on charges of assaulting her Cambodian domestic helper, Sok Vann Chandy, 28.

The incident unfolded when around 15 to 20 police officers raided Nichole’s mother’s house in Taman Seri Jempol, Bahau, Negeri Sembilan, one night.

The family was shocked by this sudden intrusion, and Nichole was subsequently detained on remand following allegations of abuse against her domestic helper.

“My mother was the first to realize the presence of the police and immediately alerted all the family members who were already asleep when they arrived around 11:30 at night.”

“After the door was opened, we were shocked to see a group of police officers, some of whom were in full uniform, in the yard of my mother’s house.”

“Most surprisingly, I was detained on remand following a report of abuse against my domestic helper,” she told the media during a recent press conference in Bandar Bukit Puchong.

What adds to the perplexity of the situation is that Nichole claimed that no officer took her statement during her four-day remand, raising suspicions about the handling of her case.

“Previously, they had informed me that my detention was under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).

“As you know, it’s a serious and significant crime. So, why didn’t the police question me at all?” she asked.

After her release, Nichole’s family and friends enlisted the services of a lawyer to seek clarification regarding her detention.

After a few days, investigations revealed that the 28-year-old domestic helper had apparently filed a report against her previous employer before starting work at Nichole’s house in Puchong.

Nichole, admitted that her feet often felt numb due to sleeping in the cold every night, especially given her weakened condition after childbirth.

“I’m still shocked, it’s hard to close my eyes at night to sleep because I still remember the experience of being in the lockup.”

Despite the harrowing experience of being in custody and suffering physical discomfort, Nichole refrains from placing blame on anyone.

“I’m raising this issue not to seek justice by implicating specific parties but simply as a warning to prevent such incidents from happening again to anyone,” she said.

Nevertheless, Nichole is currently deliberating whether to pursue legal action or explore other avenues to address the matter.

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Civil Society

RSF condemns Malaysian court ruling against British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown

Malaysia’s Federal Court rejected Clare Rewcastle Brown’s appeal against a defamation ruling, leaving her liable for damages over RM 435,000. RSF condemned the decision as an effort to silence the journalist, who is known for reporting on corruption scandals.

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4 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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Malaysia’s Federal Court has dismissed British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown’s appeal against a defamation ruling, leaving her liable to pay damages exceeding RM 435,000 (US$103,325).

The defamation suit, which RSF (Reporters Without Borders) describes as part of a broader effort to silence journalists reporting on corruption, relates to a statement in Rewcastle Brown’s 2018 book, The Sarawak Report – The Inside Story of the 1MDB Expose.

The journalist has faced legal challenges ever since, including both civil and criminal cases.

Rewcastle Brown, known for exposing Malaysia’s 1MDB financial scandal, was accused of defaming the Sultanah of Terengganu, the wife of a senior political figure.

The defamation suit stems from a misidentification error in the book, which wrongly stated that the Sultanah, rather than the Sultan’s sister, was connected to a businessman involved in the scandal.

Rewcastle Brown quickly corrected the mistake and issued an apology in 2018. Her legal team has argued that the error does not constitute defamation or criminal libel.

The Sultanah had initially sought RM 100 million in general damages, but the court ultimately awarded a much smaller sum of RM 300,000 (US$71,230) in damages, along with RM 135,000 (US$32,095) in legal costs. Additional fees are expected.

The Federal Court’s decision on 10 September 2024 closes Rewcastle Brown’s legal avenues for appeal in the civil case.

Reporters Without Borders has condemned Malaysia’s handling of the case, asserting that it is intended to intimidate other journalists from reporting on corruption.

Fiona O’Brien, UK Bureau Director of RSF, commented: “This case should never have made it to court. The accusations of defamation are nonsensical. The underlying agenda appears to be to silence Rewcastle Brown and warn other Malaysian journalists away from reporting on corruption.”

In a separate criminal case, Rewcastle Brown was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison in February 2024. She continues to appeal the criminal charges but has faced significant challenges in defending herself. The British government has not commented publicly on her case.

RSF also noted that Malaysia, once ranked 73rd in the World Press Freedom Index, has dropped to 107th in 2024, amid rising political instability and a pattern of defamation suits against journalists.

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Crime

Islamic firm CEO among 19 arrested in Malaysia’s charity home abuse scandal

The CEO of Islamic firm Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) and his wife were among 19 arrested by Malaysian authorities on Thursday for alleged child abuse linked to their charity homes. Last week, police rescued 402 children from these homes. Investigations revealed a horrifying network of abuse, with at least 13 children allegedly sodomised or taught to sexually assault others.

Published

6 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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MALAYSIA: In a major crackdown, Malaysian police have arrested several members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) top management, including CEO Nasiruddin Ali and his wife.

The arrests were made in a special operation conducted by Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department at multiple locations.

As of 19 September, total of 19 people were detained, including the CEO’s two children and the child of former Al-Arqam leader Ashaari Muhammad.

Among those arrested are 12 men and seven women, aged between 30 and 65.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed the arrests and promised to provide updates soon.

The arrests come on the heels of a significant child sexual abuse scandal involving GISBH.

Last week, police rescued 402 children from 20 welfare homes linked to the organization in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

They also arrested 171 people, including an ustaz and a hostel warden.

The case sent shockwaves throughout the country as investigations revealed a horrifying network of child abuse.

At least 13 of the rescued children were allegedly sodomized or taught to sexually assault others.

GISBH initially denied operating the welfare homes and rejected the allegations of abuse.

However, Nasiruddin later admitted that cases of sodomy had occurred within the organization in the past, while denying any deviant teachings.

In a related development, three men linked to GISBH pleaded not guilty in a Seremban court to charges of sexually assaulting boys aged between nine and 11 at a religious school associated with the organisation.

The alleged assaults took place between 2022 and 2023 in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan.

Additionally, another man was charged in Putrajaya for allegedly threatening a woman to withdraw a police report against GISBH.

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