Three men pleaded not guilty for raping friend's sister-in-law

KUALA LUMPUR - Three men pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here on Wednesday on one charge of raping a friend's sister-in-law in turns two weeks ago.

Two brothers Nik Mohammad Rahimin Mat Zaid, 33 and Nik Khaira Hafizi, 28 as well as Mohd Zulhilmi Zainuddin, 33, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read in front of judge Norina Zainol Abidin.

The charges had them accused of raping a 26-year-old woman at a flat unit in Seksyen 2, Wangsa Maju between 2am to 3.30am on Aug 30.

The charges were made under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code and read along with Section 34 of the same code that brought a prison sentence of 10 to 30 years and whipping.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Noorhani Muhmmed Ayub in the proceedings protested for the three to be given bail.

"The case is serious as it involves the crime of gang rape, if bail was given the prosecution party is worried they would choose not to appear in court," she said.

However, all the accused who were not represented by a lawyer pleaded for a release on bail.

Nik Mohammad Rahimin who worked as a mechanic said he had high blood pressure, heart disease, pneumonia and spine issues, and had to take care of five children aged six months to 12 years.

Nik Khaira Hafizi and Mohd Zulhilmi who worked in an eatery said they must care for their children aged one to eight years old.

After hearing from all parties Norina did not allow the three to be released on bail and set the re mention of the case on Oct 12.

On Sept 5, it was reported that factors such as settling debt being the cause for the men being allowed to enter and rape the sister-in-law in turns at a home in Wangsa Maju.

Wangsa Maju district police chief Superintendent Ashari Abu Samah said police investigations found the brother-in-law of the victim aged 29 had debt with one of the suspects, who is still at large.

The victim was asleep and was attacked by five men before she was assaulted in turns at the incident around 3.30am on Aug 30.

The woman had her hands tied and her mouth closed with tape by the suspect, who then proceeded to record the cruel act.