Nude squat case to be resolved according to Malaysian laws
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SINGAPORE: The recent case where two Singaporean women were detained and made to do nude squats at a Johor detention centre for alleged immigration offences would have to be resolved in accordance with Malaysian laws and rules, said Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.
He was replying to a question in Parliament on Friday about the June incident.
Mr Shanmugam said he understands and shares the concerns Singaporeans have over the treatment of the two women who were detained temporarily at the Pekan Nanas Detention Depot.
He added that he is confident the incident would not affect the overall bilateral ties between Singapore and Malaysia.
Giving a detailed account of what Singapore has done so far on the case, Mr Shanmugam said Singapore raised concerns officially with the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a number of occasions.
He said the Malaysians have assured Singapore that they will investigate the allegations and convey the outcome to Singapore as soon as it is ready.
In its last correspondence with Singapore on September 9, the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore had informed Singapore that a thorough investigation of the case had been completed.
However, the report is being finalised by the Malaysian Attorney General's Chambers.
Mr Shanmugam said: "We are all aware of recent media reports that the Malaysian Minister for Home Affairs has made a statement on this case to the Malaysian Parliament.
"He was reported to have said that based on the probe, the female Malaysian immigration officer had carried out the body search on the two Singaporean women in an orderly manner and the inspection was according to that stated under the Detention Depot's Standard Operating Procedure.
"We have sought a clarification from both the Malaysian High Commissioner in Singapore and the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the statement because as far as we are aware, the investigations have not yet been concluded.
"The Malaysian High Commissioner informed us that it did not have any further information on the Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs' statement in the Malaysian Parliament and that his ministry will be seeking an update from the Malaysian Attorney General's Chambers on the status of the investigation."
Mr Shanmugam said the Malaysian High Commission here has said it will provide Singapore with the official report of the investigation as soon as it is finalised.
He said: "I know that many Singaporeans are anxious for an expeditious resolution to this case. So are we. We have registered our concerns with our Malaysian counterparts and reminded them of their commitment to conduct a thorough investigation and update us on the outcome of those investigations.
"We will continue to press for the official investigation report but even as we do this, it is important to bear in mind that this matter would have to be resolved in accordance with Malaysian laws, rules and regulations."
Mr Shanmugam also said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority does not keep track of incidents where Singaporeans' passports are not stamped at the Johor Bahru immigration, unless reported.
The minister also took the opportunity to remind Singaporeans travelling to Malaysia, in particular those travelling by road to Johor, to always check and ensure their passports are stamped at the entry and exit by the Malaysian authorities.
- CNA/alAbout the case
http://sgforums.com/forums/3317/topics/432496 -
"suxx"
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If it was in US, no one would ahve complained.