GEORGE TOWN, March 19 — Rape disgusts everyone, regardless what race they are, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today, joining the growing chorus of disapproval against a deputy minister’s claim that the non-Malays may be more accepting of the crime.

The DAP secretary-general accused Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar of spreading racial disharmony, saying he felt disappointed that a person of such seniority and position could utter such callous remarks.

“Rape is a disgusting crime that everyone, regardless of race and religion, despise so for him to alleged that non-Malays are more accepting of statutory rape, it is very wrong and false,” Lim said in a press conference at his office today.

He demanded that Wan Junaidi immediately explain his controversial statement and if he had really meant what he said, to apologise to everyone.

“Rape is a crime against women and young girls so regardless of which race or religion, so he should not pinpoint that non-Malays are more accepting of it just because there are less cases,” he said.

Women, Family and Community Development state executive councillor Chong Eng agreed, saying it is wrong for Wan Junaidi to arrive at such a conclusion based on the number of reported cases.

“Under-reporting of rape cases happen everywhere, not only in Malaysia. For every case that is reported, there are five to 10 cases that were not reported,” she said.

She said the ministry should be looking at ways to encourage victims to come forward by making it easier for them to lodge reports and to appear in court.

“By saying this, he is not helping at all. What he should be doing is to find ways to help victims to report cases like this,” she said.

Yesterday, Wan Junaidi caused an uproar when he suggested that non-Malays are more accepting of statutory rape when asked to explain the significantly lower number of cases of statutory rape among Malaysia's minorities.

Today, leaders criticised Wan Junaidi for his controversial statement. DAP’s Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jien even tabled a motion in Parliament, calling on the Speaker to make a ruling on the deputy minister’s conduct  in Parliament.

Parliamentary Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia is expected to make a ruling on the motion later.