WP's Raeesah Khan yet to respond to police on alleged mishandling of rape case: SPF
Workers' Party MP Raeesah Khan speaking in Parliament on Oct 4, 2021.
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force on Wednesday (Oct 20) said that Member of Parliament (MP) Raeesah Khan has not responded to requests asking her for an interview to provide details on a sexual assault case that was allegedly mishandled by officers.
Police said in a statement that they have “made an extensive search", but "could not identify such a case or the officers allegedly involved as stated by Ms Khan in Parliament".
Ms Khan brought up the case in Parliament on Aug 3 during the Workers' Party's motion on empowering women.
She said she had accompanied a 25-year-old woman to make a police report three years ago, and that the victim had come out crying because a police officer had allegedly made comments about her dressing and the fact that she had been drinking.
Earlier this month in a ministerial statement, Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam asked Ms Khan to provide more information to assist police on the case, including details such as the police station involved and the month the report was filed. Ms Khan repeatedly declined, citing confidentiality.
She also told Minister of State for Home Affairs Desmond Tan, in response to his request for details, that she did not wish to re-traumatise the woman and that she had been unsuccessful in contacting her since the incident.
REMINDER EMAIL SENT
“The Serious Sexual Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department, which investigates into rape offences, sent an email to Ms Khan on Oct 7, requesting her to get in touch with the police by Oct 14 to arrange for an interview," the police said on Wednesday.
“The police needed her to provide details on the case. She was assured that the police would do everything possible to safeguard the victim’s identity from public disclosure.”
The police said it had sent a reminder email to Ms Khan on Oct 15, asking her to get in touch with the police by Oct 18.
“The police have still not heard from Ms Khan,” it said. “Ms Khan has so far not substantiated her allegations against Police officers with further details on the case.
“The extensive search done by the police has not shown up any incident as described by Ms Khan, and we cannot confirm that such an incident actually took place.”
CNA has reached out to Ms Khan for her comments.
