NGOs: Cops insensitive to plight of Penan rape victims

A group of non-governmental organisations have alleged that the police were “insincere and insensitive” when investigating sex crimes against Penan girls and women.

The Penan Support Group, a loose coalition made up of 35 NGOs, alleged that the police claimed they did not have enough funds for a joint investigation with the NGOs into the sex charges.

This is after the force had sought the NGOs’ help to bring in the Penan victims and witnesses, said the group’s lawyer See Chee How.

“The Penans were not co-operating with the police because they did not trust them,” he said when contacted yesterday.

See was responding to a remark by Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin on Friday that no Penan victim or witness had been brought to them although the police asked for the help of the NGOs to do so at meetings on Jan 20 and Aug 17.

See said they “hounded” the police about the joint investigation plans after submitting a draft Term of Reference and proposed itinerary for a week-long mission.

“Finally, at an Aug 17 meeting, the NGOs were told that the Sarawak police contingent did not get enough funding to include the NGOs in the mission,” he said.

See also alleged that the police then decided to work with the Resident’s Office instead to get the victims and witnesses to come forward.

Again, he said, the police could not get the trust of the Penans as the community felt that the Resident’s Office had not helped them all this while.

“Also, the police were arranging transportation with the logging company, whom they distrust,” he said.

“The police were not sensitive to the Penans’ needs.”


comments

Lose benefit if Logger get jail.....

Penan Rape....no proof, can proceed.....until got proof like catching the logger in the act, than we UMNOed Polis got no choice...

Maybe can ask the Penan to video tape the rape la.....tha we UMNOed Polis will definitely act

When the complainant is suppressed, of course there is no more evidence to support any case.... Do we need Sherlock to tell us what's going on?

IGP must ask why police has come to this state where nobody trust them?

Penans got no money, so cops and PIG (Police Inspector General) not interested. But if timber company complains about penan blockade, police will be the first to the site due to monetary incentives.
Same reason why crime is rampant in this country. Criminals can buy their freedom if caught.