Potential two years' jail for young couple is too harsh, says Tebrau MP

Puah (left) together with the case lawyer Tan Chia Wei (right) speaking to reporters outside Seri Alam District Police Headquarters, Pasir Gudang.

PASIR GUDANG: Charging the couple who allegedly engaged in an indecent act in a car park in Taman Kota Masai here under Section 377D of the Penal Code is too harsh, says Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah Wee Tse.

He urged the Public Prosecutor's Office to find another charge which would be more suitable considering the age of the duo, instead of using Section 377D of the Penal Code.

ALSO READ: Duo nabbed for indecent act in Johor car park remanded two days

"I have full respect for the police to investigate the case under Section 377D of the Penal Code, but the charge only has one penalty, which is two years' jail.

"Personally, I think it is too harsh because they have not beaten anyone, committed theft, or even sold drugs – but they are facing jail time.

"I think that since they are young, they should be given a second chance.

"I don't want to interfere (with the investigation), but maybe there are other charges that are more suitable for their case," he said after visiting the Seri Alam District Police Headquarters here on Sunday (April 9).

ALSO READ: Public indecency: Tebrau MP urges cops to probe person who recorded couple in car

Puah, who is also the former Johor PKR legal bureau chief, said he had also met with Seri Alam OCPD Supt Mohd Sohaimi Ishak over the case.

"I was told that the police have called up two other people – (those) who have recorded and uploaded the video – to get their statements.

"The police have also said they will investigate the case thoroughly and call everyone involved in this matter," he said, adding that he hoped the public would also cooperate and delete videos that have been circulating on social media.

"What they have done is wrong – but at the same time, we have to be fair to them," he said.

On Thursday (April 6), police detained the duo for allegedly engaging in an indecent act in a car park.

The couple was apprehended after a 23-second video of their indecent act went viral on social media.

"The incident took place on March 29 in a car park at Taman Kota Masai, Pasir Gudang, at 3.03pm," said Supt Mohd Sohaimi.

He said acting on information received on Thursday, police managed to locate both suspects between 4.15pm and 5.15pm.

He said the suspects were arrested in two different locations – Taman Johor Jaya and Taman Kota Masai.