Foreign tourist arrested for raping Malaysian woman

By Hoang Phong June 19, 2023 | 01:39 am PT

Tourists pass by Malaysia's Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya, Malaysia, January 28, 2020. Photo by Reuters

Police in Malaysia have arrested a foreign tourist on charges of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old hotel employee in Genting Highlands, a popular tourist destination.

The man is being investigated on a rape charge, which carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment for 30 years and up to 10 strokes of the cane under Malaysia’s Penal Code, Free Malaysia Today reported.

Police said the man came to Malaysia on a tourist visa but did not reveal his nationality.

The incident took place on June 12 when the woman was walking to a hotel room. The man reportedly approached her and asked about the hotel’s equipment before demanding that she have sex with him.

When she refused, he dragged her into his hotel room and sexually assaulted her.

The victim reported the incident to the police.

Malaysian police have issued a statement calling on women to be vigilant in and outside of hotels and to be wary of strangers.