The New Straits Times
She questioned the effectiveness of the task force established in 2008 by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to examine the allegations as no action had been taken.
Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) said there should be a proper inquiry into the issue.
"This is easily the most important motion tabled at the session on the exploitation of Penan women, yet the speaker decided to reject it on the grounds that there is a task force dealing with it."
Wong Ho Leng (DAP-Sibu) said he was certain the allegations were true.
He said the Sarawak government had asked for proof.
"But it is not easy to provide proof on rape cases, hence the royal commission is essential to determine whether any, and to what extent, sexual exploitation had taken place in central Baram."
Last week, the Penan Support Group submitted a report to Parliament containing the testimony of an additional seven Penan women who claimed they had been raped or molested.
AN opposition motion calling for the setting up of a royal commission to look into allegations of sexual abuse of Penan women in Sarawak was rejected by the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
"I am very disappointed that the motion has been rejected. The speaker's response was that the issue is not a matter of urgency.
"It is a very serious issue and the women are being victimised, hence the importance of a royal commission," Zuraida Kamaruddin (Parti Keadilan Rakyat-Ampang), who tabled the motion, said at the Parliament lobby.
She said such a commission was important in view of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's visit to the Penan community in Ulu Baram in Miri division next week.
"I am very disappointed that the motion has been rejected. The speaker's response was that the issue is not a matter of urgency.
"It is a very serious issue and the women are being victimised, hence the importance of a royal commission," Zuraida Kamaruddin (Parti Keadilan Rakyat-Ampang), who tabled the motion, said at the Parliament lobby.
She said such a commission was important in view of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's visit to the Penan community in Ulu Baram in Miri division next week.
She questioned the effectiveness of the task force established in 2008 by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to examine the allegations as no action had been taken.
Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) said there should be a proper inquiry into the issue.
"This is easily the most important motion tabled at the session on the exploitation of Penan women, yet the speaker decided to reject it on the grounds that there is a task force dealing with it."
Wong Ho Leng (DAP-Sibu) said he was certain the allegations were true.
He said the Sarawak government had asked for proof.
"But it is not easy to provide proof on rape cases, hence the royal commission is essential to determine whether any, and to what extent, sexual exploitation had taken place in central Baram."
Last week, the Penan Support Group submitted a report to Parliament containing the testimony of an additional seven Penan women who claimed they had been raped or molested.
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