KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysians have expressed outrage over the rape of a 10-year-old girl while she was being driven to school, with many demanding that the culprit be severely punished for his crime.

Describing the 51-year-old suspect as a "monster" and an "animal," they are demanding that the Attor?ney-General seek the capital punishment. They pointed out that "a leopard never changes its spots."

Some parents have also urged the community to be responsible for children's safety.

Other developments:

THE suspect, who was brought before a magistrate's court here yesterday, has been remanded until Wednesday. Police are investigating if an 11-year-old girl and his adopted daughter, nine, had also been molested;

THE Women, Family and Community Development Minister has called for a policy to ensure that van and bus drivers are accompanied by either a conductor or co-driver; and

SCHOOL authorities have been told to remind pupils to be cautious.