ALOR SETAR: Kedah police have clarified that the case involving four teenagers and a female student at a secondary school in the Baling district is not a gang rape case, but underage sexual activity, Sinar Harian reports.
Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah told the Malay language daily that the incident involved separate instances of underage sexual activity.
Investigations revealed that these acts occurred at different locations, including inside a classroom and an oil palm plantation, rather than simultaneously or in a group.
"The incidents took place in the afternoon when there were no classes, and no one else was in the classroom. The victim is believed to have engaged with the four suspects separately, one of whom is her boyfriend," he told Sinar Harian on Thursday (Oct 16).
He clarified that the suspects' mobile phones have been seized for further investigation, but no sexual video recordings were found.
Initial investigations revealed video content showing immoral acts involving the victim.
"Even though the acts were consensual, the victim is underage and not considered mature enough to understand the consequences. Therefore, it is still classified as rape under Section 375B of the Penal Code," he explained.
The case is also being investigated under Section 8 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act for the dissemination of obscene material involving a minor.
He added that one suspect is a former student who was expelled, while the other three were still attending the school.
Investigations also found no evidence of the videos being sold, but rather shared among the suspects and the victim.
"Police urge all parties, including schools, parents, and the community, to be more vigilant and cooperative in addressing such social issues. The prompt action of the discipline teacher in informing the victim's mother greatly assisted in speeding up the investigation and arrests," he said.
Previously, it was reported that four teenagers, including three school students in Baling, were detained for suspected involvement in gang rape and the dissemination of obscene material that went viral on social media.
