The case of two Singaporean women being forced to perform nude squats while being detained at a Johor detention centre will have to be resolved according to Malaysian laws, rules and regulations said Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.
In his reply to a question raised in Parliament on Friday about the June incident, the minister said he understands and shares Singaporeans’ concerns over the treatment of the two women who were temporarily detained at the Pekan Nanas Detention Depot.
The minister shared the last correspondence with the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore on 9 September and was informed that a thorough investigation of the case has been completed. However, the report of the investigation is still being finalised by the Malaysian Attorney General’s Chambers, reported Channel NewsAsia.
“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,” said Shanmugam.
“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,” added the minister.
Shanmugam said that Singapore has sought a clarification from both the Malaysian High Commissioner in Singapore and the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the statement because Singapore is unaware and was not informed that investigations have 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,” said Shanmugam.
The minister revealed that the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore has said it will provide the official report of the investigation as soon as it is available.
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.”
The minister added that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority does not track the number of incidents where Singaporean passports do not get stamped at the Johor Bahru immigration unless it is reported to them. The minister also adviced all Singaporeans to check their own passports and ensure that they are stamped whenever they enter or exit the Malaysian customs.
