In his defence statement filed in the sessions court here, Asheeq said he was making the statement in his capacity as a lawyer representing a rape victim.

“The press conference (on Aug 11, 2021) was called because my client demanded the authorities to investigate claims she was raped on Dec 5, 2020, which was her birthday.

“She had lodged a police report on the same day but there had been no action against the perpetrators for eight months,” he said.

“I will prove the facts of the case at the full hearing. 

“I have a legal duty to make such a statement to seek justice for her,” Asheeq added.

A man, known as Mohd Zulfahimin Mahdzir, was subsequently charged in the sessions court here on Sept 3, 2021 with raping the woman.

Hilman, the assemblyman for Gombak Setia, filed a defamation suit against Asheeq last month for linking him to the case.

He claimed that Asheeq’s statement was done in bad faith as he had tried to damage his reputation as a politician. Hilman is seeking damages and an apology from Asheeq.

Asheeq also detailed the chronology of events on how Hilman met the woman on Nov 18, 2020 until the alleged rape took place.

Shortly after the first meeting, he said, Hilman held a birthday party for her at a club here and another party on Dec 5, 2020, when the rape allegedly took place.