Madpet wants police raids on entertainment businesses that smear women, foreigners stopped
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysians Against Death Penalty & Torture (Madpet) has demanded an end to police raid on entertainment outlets that unfairly tarnish the reputations of women and foreign nationals
In a statement yesterday, the group has called for a number of modifications to law enforcement procedures in order to uphold the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
One of the main concerns raised by Madpet is the public perception that often accompanies police raids on entertainment outlets, particularly those "controlled" by foreigners.
They argued that media reports, which frequently carry images and statements provided by the police, can create the impression that women and foreign nationals arrested in these raids are involved in illegal activities.
"Why did the police provide information to the media, knowing very well that these women may have not committed any crimes whatsoever?
"Presumption of innocence until the court, not the police, finds them guilty.
"If the business is illegal, then action must be taken against the owners of such businesses, but not against workers and other patrons of the business," said Madpet.
At the same time, the group stressed that the absence of follow-up news and information about whether these individuals were charged or found innocent only prolonged prejudice.
Foreign nationals who were unfamiliar with local laws and legal procedures might even plead guilty simply to expedite their return to their home countries, it said.
Madpet has suggested several key reforms to address these issues which included mandatory search warrants issued by judges before police raids to prevent potential abuse of power.
The group also recommended an end to defamatory practices that tarnish the reputation of those arrested during these raids, urging law enforcement to recognise the presumption of innocence.
Madpet also urged for a full disclosure about the outcomes of these arrests, whether the individuals were charged or found innocent, and if found innocent, a public apology should be issued in the media to correct the wrong public perception generated.
It also highlighted that prostitution was only illegal when a female offered her body for promiscuous sexual intercourse for hire.
Therefore, the group also called for the recognition of the right for individuals to deny urine and blood tests, with a court order being a prerequisite for such procedures.
It was previously reported that 84 foreign women believed to be guest relations officers (GROs) were arrested in a police raid at an entertainment centre in Bukit Bintang.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said in a statement today that the entertainment centre did not possess a valid licence for its operations and misused a restaurant licence issued by Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
He said police conducted a urine test of 336 customers, 22 Malaysians GROs , 84 foreign GROs and found that six of the guests at the centre were positive for methamphetamine and ketamine abuse. - NST, 24/10/2023
See full statement:-
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