PKR will up the ante as allegations swirl around the cyber-world that a Malaysian minister had raped his Indonesian domestic helper in 2007, but that the incident was covered up.

pkr congress 281110 shamsul iskandar Youth head Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said he would pick up on a report by NGO Migrant Care, which advocates the welfare of Indonesian workers.

“PKR Youth views such revelations seriously. The incident happened on Feb 19, 2007 but the (survivor) has been forced to keep mum as threats were made against her,” he claimed in a statement.

He said there was no action against the minister - who served under ex-premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi - in order to prevent regional conflict.

“The issue is being hotly debated in the cyber-world. As to the validity of the allegation, only (the minister) and God know (the truth).

“Therefore, I urge the minister who is currently serving in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's cabinet to come forward and clear his name if it is not true.”

However, Shamsul Iskandar said PKR Youth believes that the allegation is true, and warned of the adverse impact on the integrity and credibility of Najib’s cabinet.

“Najib still retains this person in the cabinet although he is an alleged sexual criminal. Worse, this will (erode) ties between Malaysia and Indonesia, if the minister and the Malaysian government continue to keep quiet and no action is taken,” he said.

Shamsul Iskandar urged Najib to conduct an in-depth investigation into the allegation to clear Malaysia's name.

“The minister concerned should also come forward and set the record straight if there is no truth to the allegation,” he said.

Police report lodged

A police report on the matter was lodged on the matter earlier today by Nor Azizi Abd Aziz, a coordinator of the PKR-linked Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM).

Accompanied by SAMM president Badrul Hisham Shaharin, Nor Azizi lodged the report at the Seremban district police headquarters.

Badrul Hisham told Malaysiakini that they had submitted several documents to the police, amongst which was a report by Migrant Care.

He added that the police had recorded Nor Azizi's statement and requested SAMM not to reveal the submitted documents to the public until further notice.

"We hope the police will act on this matter in the next 14 days," said Badrul Hisham.

PKR Wanita chief and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin is scheduled to hold a press conference tomorrow on the same issue.

Shamsul Iskandar also said that PKR Youth would send several of its exco members on a fact-finding mission to Migrant Care and to meet Indonesian agencies to get more details of the alleged incident.

It was reported that the alleged rape victim was sent back to Indonesia after the alleged incident.

However, her younger sister is now seeking justice from authorities in Malaysia.

mongolian woman bombed altantuya 081106 Claiming that the minister is a powerful person, she has also appealed for her sister’s name not to be disclosed , fearing for her safety after what happened to Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu (right) , who was murdered.

Rape is punishable with up to 20 years in jail and caning.

While the law bars the media from naming rape survivors, cyber-postings have identified the domestic helper.

Similarly, the media may not disclose the identity of alleged perpetrators until they are charged in court. Postings on the Internet have named the minister who is said to  be involved.

Additional reporting by S Pathmawathy

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