KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — The victim of a gang-rape incident involving several Federal Territories (FT) handball players is an athlete.
The girl, 19, was part of the KL women’s handball team but did not make the cut to play for FT in the Malaysia Games (Sukma). Based on her seniority and experience, she was appointed chaperone for the games instead.
Federal Territories handball team manager Ng Num Thiam, however, declined to comment over the incident but expressed his “utter disappointment” over the whole episode.
Ng said such behaviour was unacceptable and if his players were indeed guilty, they should be penalised according to the law.
“I am very sad. This should not have happened,” he said.
“I can’t believe the boys are being accused of such a thing. They are a diligent and hardworking lot and I would never expect them to do such a thing.”
Ng kept mum over the supposed “boozing session” between officials and athletes at the Games Village, as disclosed by Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Sunday.
“Let the police complete their investigation. It is an unfortunate incident and if true, then those guilty should face the music. The law is the law,” he said.
Three team-mates — two aged 20 and the other aged 19 — have been placed under remand on suspicion of raping the woman in the incident on July 3.
The victim claimed she had gone out with several team officials and players for drinks at a basketball court on the campus grounds of the Second College in UPM.
They returned to their rooms at 4am. She then realised she was naked and pinned down by a man and while in a semi-conscious state, the victim alleged three men took turns to raping her in the boys’ hostel.
She lodged a police report at the Serdang police headquarters.
