The Sarawak Native Women's Association (Wadesa) says that the police report made by the Penan woman on Sept 26 denying that she was raped was expected and that she was probably coerced into making it.

NONE According to Wadesa president, Hellan Empaing, the denial was expected to counter the findings of sexual assault on Penan women by the task force led by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

"Those who were responsible for investigating and taking action have failed in their duty, and are now using all means to brush aside and deny any contradictory findings," said Empaing,

Timid and easily misled

She also said that the timid Penan women were easily intimidated and forced by authorities like the police or logging companies to say and do things against their will.

Wadesa appealed to the police to fulfill their duties with integrity, and without fear or favour.

NONE "The police should not just wait for instructions from the government or (logging) companies before investigating. Please also consider reports made by the ‘kampung' people," she said, adding that investigations should not be for the purpose of denying the findings of the taskforce.

Wadesa also said the publication of the photo of the Penan woman by Utusan Sarawak was wrong, noting that this was not only illegal, but shows the government's disregard for the dignity of women.

She asked those who were in charge of the investigations not to victimize the weak.

Touching on another subject, Wadesa, she said, also applauded the Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS)'s for taking the initiative in holding women's empowerment courses.

"Effort must be made to increase awareness amongst rural women about their rights in order to avoid similar problems from recuring," said Empaing.