Girl who married her rapist is fine, says Rohani (Updated)

07 Aug 2017 / 17:45 H.

KUALA LUMPUR: A minor in Sabah who married the man convicted of raping her is doing fine, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim (pix).
Rohani said the girl is now 16 years old and currently living with her parents in Kota Kinabalu.
She added the girl is still married to Riduan Masmud, 44, who is currently serving his 12-year jail term after being convicted of raping her in 2014.
"Our recent visit was on April 18, 2017. She is now sixteen years old and in good health.
"She's been living with her parents in Kota Kinabalu while her husband is serving his jail time," Rohani told the Dewan Rakyat in a written reply.
The minister was answering queries from Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-DAP) on efforts made by the ministry to assist the rape victim.
Riduan, who raped the then 12-year-old girl, married her three months later in an attempt to avoid being taken to court.
He was believed to have raped the girl in a vehicle on a road near Kionsom Waterfall in Inaman, Sabah on Feb 18, 2013.
The pair met through Facebook where Riduan had posed as a 24-year-old man to win her trust.
Riduan's four children were aged between two and 17 years old at the time of the offence.
Rohani said the victim was no longer interested to further her studies after the attention she received due to the case.
The minister added the victim is currently helping her mother to take care of her nieces and is interested to look for a job to support her life.
"The counseling session is still ongoing, we want to make sure the victim is doing fine.
"Her parents also told us that they have no problem raising the children," Rohani said.

sentifi.com

thesundaily_my Sentifi Top 10 talked about stocks