KOTA KINABALU: An oil rig worker has been arrested on suspicion of raping a teenager in Tawau in May.
The 23-year-old suspect, who was said to be courting the 17-year-old student, was detained in the Tawau Airport compound at around 1pm on Tuesday (Nov 4).
Tawau OCPD Asst Comm Jasmin Hussin said, according to a report lodged by the girl’s mother, the girl had gone out of their house one night on the pretext of meeting some friends, when she was actually going to see the suspect, whom she knew.
"The girl said she followed the man in his car, and he took her to another location before raping her," ACP Jasmin said in a statement on Wednesday (Nov 5).
The girl then told her mother when she got home, he added.
ACP Jasmin said the suspect, who does not have a criminal record, did not resist police during his arrest.
It was later found that he works in the oil and gas industry, he said.
"He is being remanded to facilitate investigations under Section 376 of the Penal Code for rape," he said.
He also urged parents and guardians to be aware of their children’s actions and whereabouts to prevent unwanted incidents.
