The Malaysian Medical Association is “shocked beyond belief” by Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Wan Jaafar’s claim that non-Malays are more accepting of statutory rape, says its president Dr NKS Tharmaseelan.

Wan Junaidi’s statement is "disgraceful and preposterously racist", Tharmaseelan (right) said, and expressed surprise that it did not cause an uproar in Parliament and neither did the speaker move to have it struck off the record.

“This statement is so insensitive, more so considering it is from a parliamentarian who is supposed to read the pulse of the people.

“Or was there another motive: To garner support from members of his own ethnic background. Such ulterior motives need to be censured,” Tharmaseelan said in a statement today.

'Nothing to do with race, religion or culture'

He said even doctors trained in psychology do not understand why some people sexually abuse their children and will not use race and religion to explain it.

Social workers too would not state their views on the differences in reported rape rates because it has nothing to do with race, religion or culture.

“Assigning blame to race shows the level some stoop to defend criticism, rather look for answers to resolve them.

“When such evasive and dismissive replies are given to a burning problem, it becomes pervasive within the community.

“Pushing a major issue under the carpet because it is embarrassing will not help to resolve the problem that has become widespread,” Tharmaseelan  said.

He added that politicians should not use race and religion to defend social problems, and should instead seek answers if they don’t have one, instead of giving “silly provocative answers”.

In Penang, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng also jumped on the bandwagon to condemn Wan Junaidi, demanding that he apologise for his controversial remarks.

Guan Eng said that the deputy minister appeared as if he wanted to divide the people by his “insensitive” remarks.

He dismissed the remark, saying it was wrong to say that non-Malays were less sensitive towards sexual crimes which resulted in less reports on the matter.

“In my experience, I see that all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, want stern action to be taken against such crimes, especially against children,” he said at a press conference today.

“Everyone strongly condemns and admonishes these heinous and inhuman crimes.

“So don’t try to divide the people as we are one in solidarity against these crimes against women and children,” he stressed.