Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah and Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei, in a joint statement today, said the court should also reopen the civil case after it struck out her suit following her failure to pay the deposit.

The woman, Nandine, was one of two Mongolian nationals allegedly raped by police inspector Hazrul Hizham Ghazali during the first phase of the movement control order (MCO) in April last year.

Aside from the RM70,000 deposit, Judge Azimah Omar had on Monday also ordered the woman to pay RM6,500 as costs to Hazrul (the money was to be paid as legal costs to Hazrul in the event the court dismisses Nandine’s suit).

Hazrul previously applied for the plaintiff to deposit RM70,000 to maintain her action as she is a foreigner.

Maria and Lim said the striking out of her suit by the High Court was a disturbing turn of events, as it indicated to other rape victims that they must have at least RM70,000 in their bank accounts to successfully file a suit against their rapists.

“The court’s decision has contributed towards making the reporting process even more overwhelming for victims,” they said.

Nandine’s lawyer, Thomas Philip, launched a campaign to raise funds to have a fresh suit refiled in the sessions court and pay Hazrul the RM6,500.