Two days after making the remark that non-Malays could be less sensitive to statutory rape cases in Parliament, Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar continue to receive criticisms from BN, Pakatan and non-governmental organisations over this.Gerakan Wanita chief Tan Lian Hoe said she felt offended with the remark by the deputy minister and described it as distasteful as all offences of statutory rape should not be viewed through racial lines.

“Politicians are not sociologists, I find the presence of social stigma in the statement distasteful and hugely unbecoming for a parliamentarian and deputy minister. It is an offence to all Malaysians particularly to the fairer sex who still in a fight to stop all types of sexual assault, domestic violence and gender discrimination.

“We must have ample understanding of the situation and comment with discretion,” said Tan.

Meanwhile, PKR Kapar MP G Manivanan has urged the government to give Wan Junaidi the boot for not being sensitive and derogatory to the Indians and Chinese, meaning we accept such cases of crime.

“His statement is made without facts and is racist and should be stopped. Rape is an issue of children’s discrimination and not racial. No parents would accept the fact their children had been raped and keep quiet.

“Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should show Wan Junaidi the exit from Malaysia’s cabinet as he had proven not to be a national leader. His statement would hamper integration as it is a racist and insensitive remark to come from a deputy minister,” he said.

‘Reprimand Wan Junaidi’

Meanwhile, Yayasan Bakti Nusa Malaysia, (YBN) has today urged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to reprimand Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and reconsider the structure of his top leadership on those who make statements against the 1Malaysia policy.

YBN’s executive adviser Ong Tee Keat and president How Kok Choon said in a joint statement also urged elected representatives to condemn the remarks made by Wan Junaidi.

“Rape and statutory rape are heinous crimes which affect all races and all levels of the social strata. Under no circumstances can such crimes be trivialised, whether or not it results in an illegitimate child.

“All lives and the safety of all the citizens, residents and visitors are important no matter what religion you follow, and the government is in the position to protect all lives notwithstanding religion, race or age,” they said in the statement.

Wan Junaidi has received various criticisms from non-governmental organisations including the Malaysia Medical Association, his fellow politicians and members of the opposition for the remarks he made in parliament two days ago.

According to the parliamentary Hansard, Wan Junaidi had said, “In actual fact the Malays are very sensitive to sex cases between youths, resulting in them making a police report.

“Other parties (races) may be less sensitive and hence the ratio can be accepted, the incidents (statutory rape) can be accepted by others. That is why the ratio is low and declining compared to the figures given by the police,” he said.

His exact quotes and statistics

Actual quotes in Bahasa Malaysia: Sebenarnya, oleh kerana orang Melayu sensitif sangat kepada kes-kes seks di antara belia ini, maka laporan mesti dibuat oleh pihak-pihak ini. Pihak lain mungkin kurang sensitif kepadanya maka nisbahnya dapat diterima, perkara yang berlaku itu boleh diterima oleh pihak-pihak lain. Maka, nisbahnya lebih di bawah dan turun sedikit daripada angka yang ada di balai polis.

Wan Junaidi was giving the statistics of statutory rape cases ie sex intercourse with girls below 15.

He had said the 2012 figure shows there are 1,550 cases where 1,243 consists of Malays or they comprise of 80 percent.

The deputy minister further said there are 73 cases where Chinese are involved or five percent, and 45 Indians or 3 percent. The remaining 189 cases involve those of other ethnic groups.

“In 2013, there were 1,424 victims reported of which 1,147 are Malays, 62 Chinese and 32 Indians, while 183 are from other races,” said the deputy minister, adding that this does not mean that the Malays by ratio perform such statutory rapes.

Ng Geok Chee, the woman’s section chairperson of another NGO, KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, described Wan Junaid’’s remark as inappropriate and she was appalled over it.

“Crime has no boundary or race barriers. it is utterly wrong to insinuate that there are certain races in the society that condoned sexual abuses against underaged children.

“Let’s be very clear that the issue here is about statutory rape. People, be it of any race or ethnic background, love their children and wish for the best for them. No one, regardless of race or ethnicity can tolerate any form of sexual abuse upon their children.”

The statistic, she said only reflect the truth of the Malay community making up the majority of the population in Malaysia and was not substantiated by any scientific or anthropological research.