The Dewan Rakyat had recently being informed that police statistic had shown that sexual abuse cases like rape had risen from 1,386 in 2001 to 1,431 in 2002 and within that period, cases of incest had also increased from 246 to 306.

"The Government had implemented and are currently carrying out various comprehensive measures to overcome these problems and that include reviewing and enforcing laws as well as organising family institution awareness and reinforcement programmes," said its Minister Datuk Sharizat Haji Abdul Jalil.

She was replying to a question raised by the Bintulu Member of Parliament Dato' Seri Tiong King Sing who had asked whether whipping and custodial punishments against those convicted were sufficient to curb these problems.

Towards creating social awareness, especially among fathers on their roles as the protectors to their families, the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) had conducted courses, talks and workshops on parenting skills. The board also launched a paternal module known as Pancaran Kasih which emphasised on the responsibilities, ultimate criteria of fathers and strategies to curb incest.

The LPPKN had carried out 633 activities related to family development in 2002 and such programmes would continue to be held from time to time.

Sharizat also explained that the government's stand to impose custodial sentences of between 15 years to 20 years and whippings for incest offenders was necessary in view of the rising cases of rape and incest. This is also part of a comprehensive approach to address the problems.

On another question by Tiong of the Ministry's opinion on family planning approach, Sharizat said the services provided was in the context of raising the level of reproduction health integratively and focussing on the health of mothers and children.