KUALA LUMPUR: Allegations that Orang Asli were forced to ingest birth control pills is unfounded.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said anyone making any allegation should have proof so that action could be taken to address the matter at hand.
“It (the allegations) doesn’t sound right to me. But if there was such a claim, it must be backed up with evidence.
“It must be proven. I cannot believe or disbelieve whether the allegation was true. Everything must have proof,” he said told reporters in Parliament.
Earlier in Perak, Dr Dzulkefly had said contraceptive injections were given to Orang Asli only in cases where pregnancy would be a health risk.
He said birth control medication was given under the family planning programme to those with health risks such as anaemia.
Minister in the Prime Minister Department P. Waytha Moorthy in a statement said the government would investigate the allegations as it did not condone such actions.
It was reported that the Orang Asli were forced to take either pills or injections for birth control purposes.
A Temiar villager had claimed that Health Ministry officials, who visited in mobile clinics, threatened to confiscate their medical cards if they failed to comply.