M'sia police officer accused of showing woman lewd gestures at KL human rights protest

The Malaysia police are investigating a police officer who allegedly made lewd gestures at a 25-year-old woman during a human rights protest in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 13.

The woman, Intan Zaahirah Sulaiman, a research assistant, was taking photographs of the "Turun demi Palestin" pro-Palestine rally in KL when she encountered the officer, Malaysiakini reported.

She shared a now-viral post depicting his actions to Instagram on Dec. 14.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by intan (@byints)

The woman said she was standing alone at a pedestrian overpass, photographing the protest, when an officer on duty allegedly showed the lewd gestures in her direction.

She claimed that he repeated the lewd gesture a few times, while another officer next to him laughed.

"I was there to document a protest to save human lives and preserve human rights, and this police officer had the time and idea to treat me like a sexual object. This is not a joke, it is sexual harassment," she wrote in her post.

Based on his insignia, the police officer held the rank of lance corporal.

He also appeared to be wearing a ring on his left ring finger.

The post has since garnered more than 130,000 likes and over 7,000 comments as of Dec. 18, with many commenter criticising the officer's actions.

In a comment addressing the Malaysia police force, one user urged for a better selection process for officers.

Federal police investigating police officer

Following the backlash, the Malaysia police launched an internal probe against the police officer, Malaysia media reported.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Mohd Isa said the officer in question has been identified.

He currently serves in the Kuala Lumpur area.

"The investigation has begun even though police have not received any report in relation to the incident," Rusdi said.

The federal police's Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS) is also investigating the matter, New Straits Times reported.

The police inspector-general Razarudin Husain urged the victim to file a report to assist in the investigation.

"Additionally, if anyone else has experienced similar incidents with the same officer, they should come forward and file a report as well," Razarudin said.

Razarudin said a thorough and transparent investigation would be conducted into the matter.

Top image from byints/Instagram