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©The Star (Used by permission)

KUALA LUMPUR: The police are the latest authority to set up a task force to investigate alleged sexual abuse against Penan women by timber company workers.

Sarawak police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohamad Salleh said a four-man team under his supervision went to Baram yesterday to start investigations.

Before this, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said her ministry would look into the matter with other women non-governmental organisations and the Home and Health ministries.

State Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Datuk William Mawan said his officers were getting in touch with schools in the Baram area to obtain information on the matter.

DCP Mohmad said the team would investigate the alleged rape in 1994.

“Although the incident took place 14 years ago, I want to assure the public that we will investigate without fear or favour.

“We want all those who have information regarding the incident to come forward and assist us,” he said.

DCP Mohamad, who took over as police chief in December last year, said he would supervise the investigations and his officers would take several days to get to the area.

“I will have something to say in a few days when my officers return to Kuching and brief me,” he added.

The Star reported the alleged rape and abuses by loggers against Penan women and girls early this month.

Dr Ng said the ministry’s task force would meet for the first time next Wednesday and ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur would visit the area. She plans to go there next month.

“We are very focused in looking into the plight of Penan women and girls. We will ensure that all accusations are thoroughly investigated. We must ensure that Penan women and children are not exploited,” she said after launching a manual for assistance from the Welfare Department yesterday.

She added that DNA tests could be carried out on Penan women who became pregnant after alleged sexual abuse to track down the perpetrators.

Baram MP Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan said that he was ‘’shocked” by the allegations.

“This is a serious matter and I support the call by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam for the truth to be exposed,” he said.

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