Ajeet Kaur said witnesses could come under pressure due to the publicity generated by the case.
“Give the police the space to complete their investigation quickly so that the quality of evidence collected will not be compromised,” she told FMT.
Ajeet, who co-chairs the Malaysian Bar’s Child Rights Committee, said this in response to speculation and insinuation on the case that has attracted wide attention since Monday.
According to her, the case involves a child and there are many possibilities if the matter ends in court.
“As in some other cases involving children, prosecution witnesses will be evasive and offer contradictory testimonies compared to statements given to police earlier,” she said.
Yesterday, former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Shahidan Kassim identified himself as the person being investigated, following a report filed by a 15-year-old girl.
The report has since been retracted, but police said investigations would continue under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
The former Perlis menteri besar questioned the media for giving publicity to the police report lodged in Kangar on Oct 21, despite its retraction by the girl’s family.
“I have given cooperation to the police and hope the media would not prolong the issue because it would damage the reputation of the girl who has a future ahead of her and who must be protected,” he said.
According to the police report, the MP had suddenly touched her hand and shoulders, and she had swiftly brushed it away.
Meanwhile, lawyer M Visvanathan said police made the right move in continuing investigations into the claims despite the girl withdrawing her police report.
“Once a report has been lodged, the police have to take cognisance of the complain and investigate if there is credible evidence,” he said.
Visvanathan said the prosecution unit in the Attorney-General’s Chambers or the head of prosecution in Perlis should explain if no charges were framed.
“Otherwise, this will give rise to further speculation as the matter has become a public interest issue since it involved a person in public office,” he added.