TAWAU - Three male students have been detained by police on suspicion of involvement in a rape case involving their schoolmate at a house in Merotai last Sunday.
The three students, aged between 15 and 16, were arrested by a team of police officers at around 6.50pm on Tuesday.
Tawau district police chief Assistant Commissioner Jasmin Hussin said the arrests were made after a woman lodged a report regarding the incident involving her daughter.
He said the arrests were carried out in less than 24 hours after the police report was lodged by the victim's mother at around 4.43pm on the same day.
"The incident came to light after the victim, a Form Three student, recounted the traumatic episode to her school counsellor, who then informed the victim's mother.
"Preliminary investigations found that the incident occurred last Sunday when the victim was taken by the suspect, also a Form Five student, in a car to a house where she was raped by the teenager.
"Two other companions of the suspect were also detained as they are believed to have been complicit when the incident took place. The victim also claims to have been humiliated and taunted with obscene remarks by the suspect's friends at school every day," he said in a statement on Thursday.
Jasmin said all suspects have been detained for further investigation and the case is being investigated under Section 376 of the Penal Code.
"Police take seriously the involvement of any individual who is complicit in sexual crimes and will not compromise on such despicable acts," he stressed.
He added that police will ensure investigations are conducted thoroughly and stern action will be taken against the perpetrators to ensure the future of the younger generation is not further damaged by such immoral conduct.