PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has urged the media to report ethically and responsibly on the alleged sexual assault case involving secondary school students in Melaka, without publishing sensational content that could disrupt investigations or cause emotional distress to the victim.
MCMC reminded media practitioners not to disclose any sensitive information that could lead to the identification of the victim, in line with Section 15 of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611).
The public is also reminded that spreading or distributing such videos or materials through online platforms is an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).
"MCMC takes seriously reports of the circulation of video recordings related to the alleged sexual assault case involving several students at a school in Melaka," it said in a statement on Sunday (Oct 12).
The commission said it is working closely with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and service providers to ensure that any content which could interfere with investigations or cause emotional distress to the victim is removed from social media platforms.
Yesterday, Bernama reported that four male students sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination next month, were remanded for six days after allegedly raping a Form Three female student in school last week.
Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the remand order against all four 17-year-old suspects was issued by Senior Assistant Registrar S. R. Arthana at the Ayer Keroh Magistrate’s Court to assist in the investigation.
According to earlier media reports, the incident occurred at about 2.50pm on Oct 2 in a classroom at a school in Alor Gajah, and the act was allegedly recorded on a mobile phone by two of the suspects.
The incident came to light after the victim’s mother received information from a schoolteacher about the video being circulated and subsequently lodged a police report. - Bernama
