KOTA KINABALU: A 31-year-old woman is seeking police assistance to obtain an interim protective order (IPO) from the court as she is involved in a domestic dispute with her husband, who is a senior state civil servant.
Former state assistant minister Melanie Chia, speaking at a press conference organised by Kota Kinabalu Parti Warisan division on Wednesday (Aug 9), stated that in cases of domestic violence, the law requires an IPO for the alleged victim while the case is under investigation.
The woman, who wanted to be identified only as Wong, has lodged three reports against her husband in the last five months, yet no IPO has been issued, according to Chia. Wong was present at the media conference to highlight the alleged domestic violence by her husband.
“The police are supposed to assist victims in filing an application for and obtaining an IPO from the court,” said the Kota Kinabalu Warisan deputy chief, adding that the Domestic Violence Act allows for such actions.
Wong initially filed a report against her 57-year-old husband on April 19, claiming that she was hurt after being assaulted by him at their home. However, she withdrew the report the following day after he apologized.
On July 4, Wong filed a new report stating that she was once again assaulted by her husband after an argument between them at his office. She lodged the third report on July 18, alleging that she was roughed up by her husband again at their house.
“I was also about two months pregnant when he attacked me. After that (alleged) incident, I left home,” Wong said, noting that her husband was aware of her pregnancy at the time.
On July 19, she filed another report to reactivate the April 19 report that she had withdrawn, so that the police could further investigate her case. In response, her husband lodged a police report against her on July 26, accusing her of damaging property during their office quarrel.
Expressing her concern about the slow progress of her case, Wong urged the police to thoroughly examine the matter. “I only want justice,” she said, revealing that she is currently on police bail.
Also present at the press conference was Warisan vice-president and Tanjung Aru assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong, who hopes the police will investigate the case fairly. The Star has reached out to the Kota Kinabalu police department for comments.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
