RANAU: A 46-year-old illegal immigrant has been remanded for four days after he was suspected of beating his girlfriend after an argument near here recently.
Following the incident, the 50-year-old Filipino (passport holder) victim experienced pain in her right elbow before lodging a report because she was worried about her safety and for further action.
The case is currently under investigation under Section 323/506 of the Penal Code for causing hurt intentionally and criminal intimidation.
Section 323 provides for a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine of RM2,000, while Section 506 (intimidation) carries a sentence of up to seven years in prison or a fine, particularly if the intimidation involves threats to life or property.
The suspect is also being investigated under Section 6(1)(C) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which prohibits non-citizens from entering or remaining in Malaysia without a valid pass, permit, or travel document.
Violation of this section is considered a criminal offence and is punishable under Section 6(3) with a fine of up to RM10,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, in addition to whipping.
According to the case details, the complainant filed a police report on Friday at 10.34am, stating that she had been assaulted by her Suluk boyfriend. Preliminary investigations revealed that the day before the incident, the complainant had a disagreement with the suspect before going to work at 4 pm.
When she returned from work at around 11.30pm and reached the stairs leading to the rented room, she encountered the suspect.
The suspect attempted to punch the complainant in the head, but she managed to push him aside.
The suspect then grabbed her left hand and forcibly threw her onto the cement floor of the stairs.
He also attempted to kick her, but she was able to grab his leg, allowing her to get up and flee.
The suspect chased after her and threatened to break her head and kill her.
The altercation stemmed from the complainant’s suspicion that the suspect was involved with another woman, while the suspect was angered by being reprimanded.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect and the complainant had been in a relationship for three years. Last year, the suspect had also attempted to harm the complainant with a knife.
Acting on information, a team of officers from the Ranau IPD Criminal Investigation Division arrested the suspect in a room in Pekan Ranau. He was then taken to the Ranau IPD for further proceedings.
Since the investigation could not be completed within 24 hours, a remand application was filed to allow the police to record the suspect’s statement, take photographs and fingerprints, and identify independent witnesses.
