KUALA LUMPUR:s The Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) will take part in the Health Ministry’s internal inquiry into the allegation that the Orang Asli were forced to ingest birth control pills.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy said the ministry is determined to get to the bottom of the allegation.
He said he only knew of the matter last week when a group of Orang Asli submitted a memorandum at the Parliament building on July 9.
“My view is that the Orang Asli should be informed of the risk if they plan to carry on their pregnancies or if they were malnourished,” he told NST.
“If it was done for health reasons, well and good but they must be informed. We must not take them for granted and give them what we think is right,” stressed Waytha whose national unity and social wellbeing portfolio includes Orang Asli affairs.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the committee which will meet tomorrow (July 17) will be headed by an Orang Asli family medical speciaist, Dr Ayob Bah Los.
The committee which includes doctors, nurses and observers will investigate if the allegation took place and to identify any weakness in the ministry’s family planning programme.
The committee will conclude the internal inquiry by July 26.