KUALA LUMPUR – The recent viral video of some men bathing a teenager, who had reportedly attempted to steal a donation box, in the manner of a corpse has been lambasted as “outrageous” by a parliamentary select committee.
In expressing its concern, the Women, Children and Social Development Select Committee said the public should not take matters into their own hands, and it is only appropriate that the judiciary and process of justice be respected.
It also noted that under the Section 27 of the Criminal Procedure Code, any private person may only arrest an individual who has committed a non-bailable offence, and shall without unnecessary delay hand over the person to the police.
“The society should not be acting as judges, public prosecutors or executors,” it said in a statement today.
The statement was signed by committee chair Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and its eight other members – Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin (Rompin MP), Rubiah Wang (Kota Samarahan MP), Che Alias Hamid (Kemaman MP), Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (Sik MP), Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan MP), Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai MP), Alice Lau (Lanang MP), and Hannah Yeoh (Segambut MP).
The action of the mosque’s congregation as featured in the viral video is also likely to be investigated under Section 323 and 325 of the Penal Code.”
Section 323 and 325, respectively, stipulate that it is an offence to voluntarily cause hurt and to use criminal force to another person, punishable with imprisonment and fine.
It is unclear if a police report has been lodged against the mosque authorities.
In the viral video, 19-year-old Daniel Iskandar was seen being bathed like a corpse by several individuals, with one of them physically assaulting him with a pipe, after he was caught attempting to steal the mosque’s donation box.
The Selayang magistrates’ court yesterday sentenced Daniel to 10 days in jail and fined him RM4,000 after he pleaded guilty to the offence.
The fine was settled this morning after an anonymous individual donated the amount.
The parliamentary committee also expressed its concern that the assault against Daniel could bring more harm than good to the teenager and his family, particularly in the aspect of his psychology.
“We would like to remind all about the rule of law, and stress that no one is exempt from or is above the law,” he said.
“At the same time, religious leaders are public figures who should portray and set a good example, and be role models for the general public.” – The Vibes, January 14, 2022
