Definition of rape to be amended

KUALA LUMPUR: The amendment to Section 375 of the Penal Code to expand the definition of rape by including the insertion of objects other than genitalia is expected to be tabled in the next Parliament session, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri.
“The Attorney-General’s Chambers says that for now the amendment is still in the final stage as negotiations are ongoing with medical practitioners and related parties,” she told reporters during a press conference today after visiting the "Can You Keep a Secret" art installation by Women's Aid Organisation (WAO).
Nancy said the amendment would also include sexual abuse against adults and children.
“With the increase of incidents involving rape, we feel that the amendment must be completed as soon as possible and tabled in the next Parliament session,” she said.
Commenting on several recent cases where women were told to cover themselves for being inappropriately dressed at government departments, Nancy said that she opposes the practice of handing out sarongs due to hygiene reasons.
“I believe being hygienic is important. You do not know when was the last time the sarong was used. I disagree with the practice because it is unhygienic,” she said.
Meanwhile, in a text message to theSun, Wanita MCA chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie said she had drafted a memo on the matter, and would be meeting the Attorney General on July 7 to discuss the issue.
She said besides expanding the definition of rape, Wanita MCA would also propose other law reforms pertaining to the welfare of women.
Calls to expand the definition of rape comes in the wake of the controversial Court of Appeal decision to acquit 60-year-old Bunya Jalong from Sibu, Sarawak on a charge of raping a 14-year-old girl who subsequently became pregnant.
The court ruled out rape as the accused inserted his finger smeared with semen into the victim’s vagina. Despite DNA test proving Bunya as the father of the child, the absence of penile penetration into the vagina ruled out rape in accordance to Malaysian law.