The government will be "studying" the recently-released Penan report, which exposed new evidence suggesting rape and sexual abuse of its women by loggers.


 The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry said that they have obtained the
 
 <a href="http://malaysiakini.com/news/136543" target="_blank">
 report
 </a>
 
 by the Penan Support Group (PSG) and will be referring it to the national task force set up last year to look into the matter.


 "The ministry, through the Department of Women's Development, is currently studying the report, and is examining in particular the seven new cases documented in the report.


 <img align="left" alt="NONE" height="318" src="http://mk-cdn.mkini.net/207/bef057225a0531686c50827e95e885ef.jpg" width="200"/>
 "The cases will be referred to the National Task Force of which the Royal Malaysian Police is a member," said minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (
 
 photo
 
 ) in an email interview with
 
 Malaysiakini
 
 .


 At the same time she defended the police, who had closed the case late last year, citing insufficient evidence and lack of cooperation from the victims.


 She also said that the police have committed themselves to investigating the allegations contained in the report. The ministry takes a serious view this issue. All allegations must be thoroughly and immediately investigated by the police, added Shahrizat.


 
 
 'Sensitization programs for loggers in pipeline'
 
 


 The ministry also stood by their own task force report completed in October last year, which
 <a href="http://malaysiakini.com/news/116014" target="_blank">
 
 confirmed
 
 </a>
 the existence of sexual violence against Penan women, and that they will be continuing their efforts in educating the community of their rights.


 "In the pipeline are also sensitisation programs targeted at the logging and development companies," she said.


 Based on the task force's findings, she said that the National Registration Department has also intensified its efforts to facilitate registration of births and issuance of MyKads for the Penans through special mobile units.


 "On its part, the Education Ministry is addressing the issue of drop-outs and absenteeism through increased educational activities involving parents and the community," she said.


 But on the seeming non-action after the issue was first exposed by the Swiss NGO, Bruno Manser Foundation, in their own report two years ago, she said: "The issue is multi-faceted, and requires collaboration at multiple levels.


 "Nevertheless, the police have undertaken to investigate all allegations and has called upon those with information to assist in the investigations.


 "The ministry views this issue very seriously and it has been brought to the attention of the cabinet, and endorsed by the cabinet prior to the release of the national task force report last year," she said.


 PSG - a coalition of 36 NGOs - released its report 'Wider Context of Sexual Exploitation of Penan Women and Girls in Middle and Ulu Baram, Sarawak' in Parliament on Tuesday, detailing the distressing ordeal of the Penan women and the community.


 The report claimed that seven more Penan women had come out to reveal their alleged sexual abuse, with some saying they became pregnant after being raped.


 They also highlighted the failure of authorities to respond to the shocking findings of the national ministerial task force report made public several months ago.


 
 <a href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/136775">
 MP seeks royal panel on Penan abuse
 </a>

Its minister maintains that the government takes a serious view of the issue to the extent of drawing it to the attention of the cabinet.


Women's ministry to 'study' Penan report

~RM12

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