PUTRAJAYA: Parliament's Hansard dated March 18 on Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar's answer on statutory rape was released to the media.
The Hansard was distributed by Wan Junaidi's senior private secretary Wan Hamzah Wan Paie during a press conference on Friday following claims that it was misinterpreted by several quarters.
Also released at the press conference was the March 19 Hansard regarding Kuching member of parliament, Chong Chieng Jen's (DAP) statement to Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee claiming the answer had hurt the feelings of other races.
Here is an excerpt of the Hansard on March 18 containing Wan Junaidi's answer:
"Statistics of victims of rape involving youth 15 years and under for 2012 was 1,550. The victims comprised 1,243 Malays (80 percent), 73 Chinese (five percent), 45 Indians (three percent), and 189 other races, that is 12 percent.
"For the year 2013, a total of 1,424 rape victims were reported comprised of 1,147 Malays, 62 Chinese, 32 Indians and 183 other races.
"This does not meant that Malays have a higher ratio of rape. Actually, since Malays are very sensitive about the issue of sex among young people, they must have reported these cases.
"Others may be less sensitive about it so the ratio could be acceptable, such behavior could be acceptable by the other parties. So the ratio is lower and reduced a little from the figures at the police stations.
Wan Hamzah said Wan Junaidi was now bound by the Parliament Rights and Privileges Committee, Standing Order 36 (12) which prohibits him from making any statements on the matter until the Speaker makes his decision, which is expected to be next Tuesday. - Bernama