Suhakam to probe Penan rape claims

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) will send a team to Sarawak next week to carry out investigations into the alleged sexual abuse and rape of Penan women and girls by logging company workers.

Disclosing this today, its Sarawak-based commissioner Dr Hirman Ritom Abdullah said the team would comprise four commissioners, including himself and staff from the commission's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Dr Hirman added that after completing its investigation, Suhakam will make recommendations to the government on the measures needed to combat the problem.

Since the Swiss-based NGO Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) highlighted the issue last month, followed by the publication of an investigative article confirming BMF's report on the sexual abuse and rape of Penan girls, authorities have directed that immediate investigations be carried out.

The police have also sent a team of officers into Penan settlements in the remote Middle Baram area of Sarawak, from where logging companies are operating. State police chief Mohmad Salleh today reported that the team has identified a possible rape victim.

He said the findings by the police will be compiled into a report before the next course of action is determined.

Malaysiakini also today learnt that eight years ago, a team comprising human rights experts from the Bar Council went to Baram to conduct their own investigations into several complaints from indigenous groups.

In its report, the team mentioned, among other things, the sexual abuse of native women by logging workers in the jungles. The logging companies have, to date, denied any knowledge of the allegations.

Suhakam was also given a copy of the report and had at the time, promised to look into the matter. However, no action was taken.

Dr Hirman, when asked about the 2000 report, said Suhakam did not have the necessary experts needed to follow up on the report.

Sarawak deputy chief minister Dr George Chan recently said such sexual abuses were not confined to Penan areas, saying that "it is happening everywhere (in Sarawak)". This prompted people to demand that the authorities get serious in efforts to protect girls and women against such sexual crimes.

Dialogue With Natives

Meanwhile, on the 944MW Murum Dam near Bakun in central Sarawak, Dr Hirman said Suhakam was in the process of carrying out a consultation process with the affected local natives, especially those from Penan settlements.

A dialogue was held with Penan elders in Bintulu last year and next week, a dialogue will be held with environmental groups in Kuala Lumpur before a full report is released to the public.

He said an Environmental Impact Assessment report would finalise measures on the resettlement of eight Penan settlements, comprising 1,500 people, before the RM2.67 billion hydro-dam project commences.

Sarawak Energy Bhd, the dam developer, has appointed a Chinese company linked to Three Gorges Project Corporation to design, build and commission the dam in 60 months.