By Lourdes Charles

KUCHING, MALAYSIA: Police investigating the alleged rapes of Penan women found no evidence to suggest the women had been raped, said Inspector - General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

He said a Bukit Aman task force investigating the allegation had interviewed and recorded statements from two of the alleged victims as well as several others recently.

"Although we have yet to find any evidence, I have instructed my officers to probe further as the alleged incidents are said to have been occurring the last 14 years.

"Another problem we face in our investigations is the reluctance of certain non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to cooperate with us in our investigations," he told reporters after attending a briefing on the security and crime situation in Sarawak by the state police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohmad Salleh.

Musa said police have identified the NGOs and would compel them to come forward and assist in investigations following the allegations.

He said police viewed such allegations seriously, adding that Sarawak police had investigated 10 reports of rape lodged in the Baram district over the years. The rapes also involved several other tribes.

"In the 10 cases investigated, five cases were brought before the courts. We will investigate all cases," he said.

When told by a local reporter that Penans considered it rape only when the man refused to marry the woman after she gave birth even though she consented to having sex, Musa said the matter should then be settled by tribal laws.

"However, if they lodged reports with us we will investigate the matter," said Musa.