Acquitted man a "monster", says mother of "finger rape" survivor

KUCHING: The mother of the "finger rape" survivor has spoken out publicly for the first time about her daughter’s ordeal, describing the acquitted rapist as an "animal with a human face".

"He is not a human being. He is an animal. His ways are like that of an animal. He is an animal with a human face," said Rosmiati Abdullah as she fought back tears.

Rosmiati, an Iban Muslim convert from rural Oya River, revealed that the 60-year-old Bunya Jalong met her daughter through her.

"He was my colleague (working) under me. He was just a boat operator," she said at a rally held to pressure the Government to change the Penal Code's definition of rape.

On Fridays he transports school children. It was during that time he used students. He gave them food, drinks... Then he brought them to the city, to the hotel," Rosmiati added.

On May 7, the Court of Appeal unanimously acquitted and discharged Bunya for raping a 15-year-old in Sibu in May, June, July and August of 2011.

It acquitted Jalong based on the present legal definition of sexual intercourse, which includes only penile penetration.

In the written judgement released later in May, another reason given for acquittal was the prosecution’s failure to bring in a further witness to challenge a doctor’s view that, if a finger with sperm was placed in the vagina, impregnation was possible.

 The girl gave birth on Feb 5, 2012, with a DNA test confirming Bunya to be the baby’s father.

At the rally this morning, which was attended by hundreds from 28 non-governmental bodies, Rosmiati spoke for about 10 minutes, showing she understood details of the judgement.

The mother believed the accused was coached on what to say in court to get himself off the hook based on the wording of the law.

"He was given advice by his lawyers. The lawyer is a lawyer because he knows how to argue. If he used the right ways for the right reason, there is no problem. But the accused rapist was let go. I definitely feel unhappy,” said Rosmiati.   

Rosmiati asked for help and advice from Malaysians who did not want to experience what happened to her family.

“All my friends, sisters, brothers and young people here, please help me. Advise me. I'm not a smart person in this kind of case,” she said.