Lawyer Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi said he has also been instructed by his client to file a civil suit against the police if they are not transparent about the status of the investigation.
“This is because my client’s initial request for an update in June remains unanswered.
“My client has the right to know about any updates or results from the investigations. Nine months is way too long and we can no longer tolerate the delay,” Asheeq told reporters outside the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters today after sending another letter to the police to request for information on the case.
He added that if the police fail to provide any feedback within seven days, a civil suit will be filed in court to find out the status of the case.
“My client has also ordered me to file civil suits against all those involved in that incident. Letters of demand will be sent out next week to all those involved.
“Following that, we will proceed to take civil action in court as the delay is too long. Any delay would be an injustice.”
Asheeq also noted that Kuala Lumpur police chief Azmi Abu Kassim was reported to have said in May that the probe into the matter was almost done and that the investigation papers would be referred to the attorney-general’s chambers.
“Since then, there have been no updates from the police,” he said.
The lawyer also made a veiled jibe at the lack of urgency in the investigation into this case, by comparing it with that of Tronoh assemblyman Paul Yong (formerly of DAP) and Amanah’s Permatang Pasir assemblyman Faiz Fadzil.
“Both these cases were wrapped up in a few months, yet there is still no conclusion to my client’s case even after nine months. Such a lengthy wait is ridiculous,” he said.
Allegations that Yong raped his maid first surfaced in July 2019 and he claimed trial a month later. The case is ongoing in the Ipoh High Court.
In March, Faiz denied allegations that he sexually harassed a woman in Petaling Jaya, with the case brought to court three months later in June – when he pleaded not guilty to outraging the modesty of a woman.
“Well, I am not in a position to suspect (anything), but I know for a fact that this case involves an assemblyman from the government.”
Hilman is a Bersatu assemblyman, having defected from PKR last year.
“If the two cases that I mentioned earlier could have been dealt with very fast, why not this? The answer… You have it yourself. I do not need to mention,” Asheeq told reporters.
He urged the police to conclude the matter and give his client a proper explanation as soon as possible and charge whoever is involved.
“I know this case involves some big names, politicians from the government and Hilman, but the police have to be fair,” Asheeq said.