Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin will have her statement recorded by the Kuching police on Friday over the latest allegations on the rape of Penan women.

bukit antarabangsa landslide 071209 zuraida kamaruddin “I feel quite happy (to give a statement) because the police have finally given me a chance to provide further details of the allegations,” said Zuraida, who will fly to Sarawak.

“I cannot understand why last September, I could not lodge a report with the police, the Sarawak Chief Minister's Department and the Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu.”

The police had issued a call to several individuals on July 13 to assist with investigations following a report entitled ‘A wider context of sexual exploitation of Penan women and girls in Middle and Ulu Bernam, Sarawak’, distributed by the Penan Support Group.

NONE The hard-hitting report claimed that sexual crimes are “allowed to flourish” because of widespread poverty, deprivation of land rights, citizenship and basic services, as well as lack of respect for rural communities, their autonomy and their calls for justice.

Seven rape cases were said to involve Penan women in Ulu Baram, with the suspects said to be loggers.

Zuraida, also the PKR Wanita head, had submitted an emergency motion to have the matter debated in Parliament, following the release of the report.  

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Heng Seai Kie has denied the new allegations.