Latest news with #RoyalCommissionofInquiry
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Gloriavale leader Howard Temple stands trial in Greymouth District Court historic sexual abuse allegations
Several alleged victims and police are expected to give evidence over the coming days. Applications to film in court were denied by Judge Neave, who said he did not want proceedings 'turning into a circus'. The high-profile case and Temple's charges follow a three-year police investigation into the 600-strong Gloriavale community. A total of 24 various charges of indecent assault and doing an indecent act against girls under 12 years, girls aged 12 to 16 years, and others over 16 years have been laid by the Crown. The alleged offending dates back to 1998, with the most recent in 2022. Temple was named over the alleged offending in August 2023. Prior to that, the nature of the charges had been suppressed. This morning, standing in the dock, aided by a communications assistant due to his hearing difficulties, Temple pleaded not guilty to all charges. Charges include hugging young females from behind, placing an arm around their waist, rubbing and touching their legs, backs, inner thighs, and on some occasions touching their breasts and bottoms, as well as kissing the neck of one young girl. The alleged indecent acts are claimed to have occurred in Gloriavale's communal dining area at meal times, in the kitchen, and in one instance, in the men's bathroom. Crown prosecutor Kerry White said it was alleged that while the complainants would stand close to Temple to serve drinks and meals in the dining area, he would take the opportunity to touch their bodies. As the girls got older, they would work in the communal kitchen. The Crown alleges the conduct spanned 25 years. Temple's lawyer Michael Vesty said leaders were involved in the personal, spiritual and emotional lives of those living in the community. Expressions of hugs, an arm around the waist or comments of care were common and often encouraged as 'part of the pastoral dynamic'. Temple denied any of the alleged conduct was indecent. 'He had no sexual motivation. He regrets and is saddened that this is how they now consider his actions,' Vesty said. He said Temple accepted he had shown affection such as hugs, which were often reciprocated. 'They were gestures of gratitude and support which were acceptable in the conduct of day-to-day life in the community.' American-born Temple, the successor to the late Hopeful Christian, who founded the Gloriavale Christian Community in North Canterbury before shifting it to the West Coast in the late 1990s, has lived in the reclusive community for over 40 years. In January, Temple made a public apology on behalf of the Gloriavale church to the community's many victims for any historic abuse suffered. It came after the 2024 Royal Commission of Inquiry into historic Abuse in Care requested Gloriavale apologise to its members. He said the organisation acknowledged that abuse happened within its community between 1950 and 1999. 'To the people of Gloriavale and those who were part of the community that experienced this abuse while among us, we write to you with profound sorrow, acknowledging the pain and suffering that has been experienced by victims and families while within our church group.' - Greymouth Star
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
No further action against Dr M did not override AG's decision
PUTRAJAYA: No further action against former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the sovereignty issue of Pulau Batu Puteh did not override the Attorney-General's decision, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said the decision was made by the Cabinet, despite the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) having recommended otherwise. 'The RCI had recommended that criminal investigations be initiated against Tun Mahathir for betraying the country and for follow-up action to be taken. 'So, I did not override the Attorney-General's decision; it was a Cabinet decision. Although the wrongdoing was a serious betrayal, considering the circumstances and situation, we proposed that it need not be taken further,' he told reporters after attending the 50th Prime Minister's Cup Debate Finals here today. Anwar was responding to Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan's motion to refer him to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee over his remarks on the RCI into the Pulau Batu Puteh issue. Previously, Anwar said the government has decided not to proceed with action against Dr Mahathir due to age-related considerations. The RCI on the Handling of Matters Related to the Sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge had recommended that criminal investigations be initiated against Dr Mahathir. That recommendation was among those included in the 217-page RCI report that was distributed to Members of Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat. - Bernama
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Govt never interfered in A-G's Batu Puteh decision, says Anwar
PUTRAJAYA: The government has never interfered with any matters under the Attorney-General's (AG) jurisdiction, including the action to be taken towards former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the Batu Puteh case. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this was despite the recommendations made by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge for criminal investigations to be taken against Dr Mahathir. He said this in response to a motion submitted by Perikatan Nasional (PN) to refer him to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Privileges, over a statement he made in the Dewan Rakyat regarding the Batu Puteh issue, which allegedly misled the House. "The task force had proposed that a report be filed against Dr Mahathir for alleged betrayal of the country, and that further action be taken. "So, I did not bypass the A-G's decision. "Although the offence was serious, taking into account the context and circumstances, the cabinet proposed that the matter not be pursued further," he said when met by reporters after the 2025 Prime Minister's Cup Debate Finals.
Asia News Network
6 days ago
- Politics
- Asia News Network
Only the guilty need immunity, says former Malaysian PM Mahathir on disputed island Batu Putih issue
PETALING JAYA – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he does not need legal immunity over the Batu Puteh issue. 'Immunity is for people who are afraid to go to court because they know they are guilty. I know I am innocent and I want to prove it,' the former prime minister said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (July 23). He said Parliament had 'found him guilty' over his role in the Batu Puteh issue. 'In the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (July 22), I was found guilty in the case of not making an appeal over Batu Putih,' he said. 'Even though I was found guilty, no action will be taken because of my age. 'The one who found me guilty is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'He also said no action should be taken against me because I am 100 years old,' he said. Anwar in Parliament on Tuesday had said although an inquiry had found Dr Mahathir likely responsible for the loss of Batu Puteh to Singapore, no legal action was initiated due to his age. In February 2024, the government announced that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, had consented to the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the government's 2018 decision to withdraw Malaysia's application to review the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) decision on the sovereignty of Batu Puteh. At the time, Dr Mahathir led the government. In 2008, the ICJ ruled that Batu Puteh belonged to Singapore, while Batuan Tengah was awarded to Malaysia. It also ruled that the ownership of Tubir Selatan should be determined based on the delimitation of territorial waters. The RCI, which concluded in December 2024, found weaknesses in the handling of sovereignty issues involving Batu Puteh, Batuan Tengah and Tubir Selatan.
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Only the guilty need immunity, says Dr M on Batu Putih issue
PETALIING JAYA: Tun Mahathir Mohamad says he does not need legal immunity over the Batu Puteh issue. "Immunity is for people who are afraid to go to court because they know they are guilty. I know I am innocent and I want to prove it," the former prime minister said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (July 23). He said Parliament had "found him guilty" over his role in the Batu Puteh issue. "In the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (July 22), I was found guilty in the case of not making an appeal over Batu Putih," he said. "Even though I was found guilty, no action will be taken because of my age. "The one who found me guilty is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "He also said no action should be taken against me because I am 100 years old," he said. Anwar in Parliament on Tuesday had said although an inquiry had found Dr Mahathir likely responsible for the loss of Batu Puteh to Singapore, no legal action was initiated due to his age. In February 2024, the government announced that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, had consented to the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the government's 2018 decision to withdraw Malaysia's application to review the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) decision on the sovereignty of Batu Puteh. At the time, Dr Mahathir led the government. In 2008, the ICJ ruled that Batu Puteh belonged to Singapore, while Batuan Tengah was awarded to Malaysia. It also ruled that the ownership of Tubir Selatan should be determined based on the delimitation of territorial waters. The RCI, which concluded in December 2024, found weaknesses in the handling of sovereignty issues involving Batu Puteh, Batuan Tengah and Tubir Selatan.
