Indonesian Woman Retracts Rape Allegation Against Ex-PH Exco Member Who Was Found Guilty
The former Tronoh assemblyperson was found guilty in July 2022 of raping the 23-year-old domestic worker at his home in Ipoh.
By Sadho Ram — 05 Feb 2025, 04:18 PM
An Indonesian domestic worker who accused former Perak executive councillor Paul Yong Choo Kiong of rape in July 2019 has now retracted her allegations, according to her lawyer Pathu Rahman
Yong, a former Tronoh state assemblyperson under Pakatan Harapan (PH), was found guilty in July 2022 of raping the then-23-year-old woman at his home in Meru Desa Park, Ipoh.
He was sentenced to 13 years in prison and two strokes of the cane, but the Court of Appeal later reduced his sentence to eight years while upholding the whipping penalty.
During a hearing at the Ipoh High Court today, 5 February, the defence team presented new evidence, including a statutory declaration made by the woman in Indonesia, in which she admitted that her accusation against Yong was false
According to her statement, she wanted to return to Indonesia at the time, but Yong, her employer, did not allow her to leave. She claimed she made the accusation in an attempt to secure her departure.
The defence called the woman's lawyer as a witness, reported China Press.
In court, they also submitted documents, including the appointment letter confirming the lawyer's role in representing the domestic worker and the official statement in which she recanted her allegations.
Yong's lawyer, Salim Bashir, stated that the Ipoh High Court judge will brief the Federal Court on this new testimony on 7 March
It is scheduled to hear Yong's appeal to nullify his guilty verdict and jail sentence on 17 March.
Last year, the Federal Court had granted Yong's application to introduce additional evidence that indicated that the victim may have provided false testimony in his appeal against his conviction.
Yong, a former Bersatu member previously aligned with DAP under PH, was a key political figure in Perak. His case became one of the most high-profile sexual assault trials involving a politician in Malaysia.
The rape allegations gained widespread attention, prompting intervention from the Indonesian government to ensure legal support for the domestic worker. Throughout the trial, Yong maintained his innocence.
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9.30am - 5.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp/Telegram: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4180342
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday (7pm - 9pm),Tuesday to Thursday (9.30am - 11.30am), Saturday (2pm - 4pm)
Contact: +6082-368853
SMS/WhatsApp: +6016-5822660 | +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +6088-280200 | +6011-27908020
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (3pm - 12am)
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.
