18-12-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) A Malaysian police officer has found himself at the centre of a controversy after being accused of making inappropriate gestures towards a female photojournalist during a public demonstration in Kuala Lumpur.
The incident, which occurred on 13 December, came to light when the victim, identified only as Intan, shared photographic evidence on social media showing the officer, later identified as Lance Corporal Muhammad Faris Bin Ariffin Tait, allegedly making lewd gestures whilst on duty.
According to Intan, who was documenting a human rights protest at the time, the officer made repeated inappropriate gestures towards her as she stood alone on a pedestrian overpass. She reported that a fellow officer witnessed the behaviour but merely laughed in response.
The allegations have sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with numerous women coming forward with similar accounts. One woman claimed she had previously fallen victim to the same officer’s misconduct when filing a sexual assault report in October. She alleged that Lance Corporal Faris made inappropriate phone calls to her, including making suggestive sounds and asking sexually explicit questions.
In response to the mounting allegations, the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department has launched an investigation, despite no formal police report being filed initially. State Police Chief Inspector General Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has urged the complainant and any other potential victims to come forward and file official reports.
Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa confirmed that the officer in question has been identified and is currently stationed within the capital. The anti-imperialist youth movement Gegar Amerika, with which Intan is affiliated, has announced plans to accompany her to file a formal complaint at the Kuala Lumpur Police headquarters on 16 December.
The incident has reignited discussions about professional conduct within Malaysia’s police force, with many social media users calling for stricter vetting processes and improved accountability measures for law enforcement officers.
“This is not a joke, it is sexual harassment,” Intan stated in her social media post. “I was there to document a protest to save human lives and preserve human rights, and this police officer had the time and idea to treat me like a sexual object.”
View this post on Instagram
