Posted on May 17, 2012, Thursday
KUCHING: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has rebuked Metro Ahad for its report which alleged that certain Penan group in upper Baram was practising incest.
He said such negative reporting was uncalled for especially when the government has been trying so hard to promote good racial relations in the country.
“For the sake of preserving our good relations, I think the best thing is not to make any remark about any race in the country unless it is necessary and for special purpose. People use to talk bad thing about other group in the country but yet there is no purpose for it.
“If you have something good to say then say it. But if you don’t have anything good to say just keep quiet,” Taib told the media after launching two books entitled ‘The Lanjak Entimau Story: Changing Landscape in Biodiversity Conservation’ and ‘Birds of Bario and The Kelabit Highlands’ at the State Legislative Assembly complex here yesterday.
The national Malay tabloid had on its May 13 issue, published a front page article about a certain Penan group in upper Baram under the heading ‘Ibuku Isteriku, bapaku suamiku’ (My mother my wife, my father my husband).
The reporter concerned wrote that there were at least 15 families in that particular area practising incest and said that they did it as part of their tradition as a result of their lack of religious knowledge.
The reporter concerned also alleged that as a result of the practice, some of the children in the area failed to obtain the MyKad.
Also published with the report was a photo of a young couple with their faces digitally disguised. The caption suggests that the couple are married, but their faces look as if they are related. No details were provided
The report has received wide criticism from both the government and the opposition alike. They cautioned the tabloid for publishing such an article.
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