Perak deputy police chief Comm Datuk Azizi Mat Aris (right) handing over the goodie bags to the traders of the Hindu Kaliaman temple at Gunung Cheroh during Thaipusam festival. -Ronnie Chin/The Star
IPOH: Police will carry out a transparent investigation on the alleged rape case of an underage girl involving a cop, says Perak deputy police chief Comm Datuk Azizi Mat Aris.
“There is no such thing as cover-up or so forth. Just like other cases, the investigations are done according to protocol,” he told a press conference in front of the police ``thaneer panthal’’ (refreshment stall) set up for Thaipusam near the Sri Subramaniar Temple in Gunung Cheroh here Thursday (Jan 25).
Comm Azizi said the investigation will be conducted in a transparent and fair manner despite it involving a police officer.
He was asked to comment on the case where the 16-year-old girl claimed that the policeman with the rank of a sergeant had raped her twice in July and October last year at a parking lot of a supermarket at Perak Tengah near Parit.
A police report over the incident was lodged on Jan 20 this year.
Comm Azizi said there were several matters that required confirmation.
“This is not just a straightforward case, we need to identify several subjects in connection with the case,” he added.
On the Thaipusam celebrations, Comm Azizi said everything had been running smoothly.
“There are no untoward incidents reported, and our personnel are on their rounds.
“There is of course some road congestion leading to the temple due to the movement of the kavadis, but otherwise the traffic is smooth,” he said.
Comm Azizi said starting from Wednesday until tomorrow, some 350,000 devotees and visitors are expected to throng the temple grounds.
“People need not worry or fear, as community policing is also being carried out to ensure all rules and regulations are being followed,” he added.
