Visually impaired teenagers easily victimized by sexual predators

A 69-year-old visually-impaired man was released after his statement was recorded for allegedly outraging the modesty of a 14-year-old visually impaired girl at a special centre for physically challenged people at Bagan Jermal.

North-East district OCPD ACP Hamzah Md Jamil said the suspect, who is also a resident at the centre, was said to have repeatedly asked the girl to visit his room there, before fondling her breast and touching her private parts.

"The girl's parents, who live in Selangor, lodged a police report over the matter on May 30 after they were alerted of the incident by the centre's management the same day.

"We have already sent the girl for medical examination. In the meantime, the suspect has been released as he cooperated with us when called up for questioning," he told reporters.

"The investigation has been completed and we have handed the investigation papers to the deputy public prosecutor who will decide if there are grounds to charge the suspect," he added.

Meanwhile, a hearing-impaired swimming instructor was charged with molesting a 12-year-old girl in the magistrate's court here Thursday.

Cheah Ee Kew, 40, allegedly used criminal force to outrage the modesty of the girl in the swimming pool at the Chinese Swimming Club in Tanjung Bungah at about 8pm on April 30.
Due to his disability, the charge was not read out to him so magistrate Ainul Shahrin Mohamad set July 12 for a deaf-mute interpreter to read out the charge to him in sign language.
She also allowed his bail at RM3,000. Cheah posted the bail later in the afternoon.