MIRI, MALAYSIA - Suhakam will investigate claims about timber workers sexually abusing Penan women and girls in the deep interior of Sarawak.

The probe by the human rights commission will begin after the Hari Raya holidays, its commissioner for Sarawak Dr Mohd Hirman Ritom told The Star yesterday.

'We must establish the truth. These allegations are very serious in nature, especially if they involved natives who are isolated and defenceless.

'They are allegations of a criminal nature, not just a violation of human rights. We will have to visit those areas where such alleged crimes took place and speak to the people in those areas,' he said.

Dr Hirman was commenting on the increasing calls from various quarters in the country for an official probe into the allegations which were posted on a website two weeks ago.

'If there is any truth to these allegations, then Suhakam will have to make sure the police and the relevant authorities do something against those who had victimised these natives,' he added.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohmad Salleh had said that the police had not received any official report on the allegations.

Dr Hirman said the Sarawak police must find out why there were no such official reports.

'Is it because the Penans are afraid to come forward and lodge official reports' Maybe the reports have not been accepted or they have been threatened or maybe it is due to logistic problems,' he said.

In the meantime, Kuala Lumpur-based Suhakam commissioner Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria said that the federal police, Women and Family Development Affairs Ministry and the Sarawak Government should initiate their own investigations into the allegations.

'The excuse by the Sarawak police that there is no official report and thus they cannot investigate is shallow and unacceptable,' he said.

'We hope the federal police will make sure these allegations are investigated. The police can start their own investigations even without an official report.

'If there is any truth, then the victims must be protected and punishment must be meted out on those who committed such crimes.'