Kuala Lumpur: A total of 72 police reports have been lodged against Warisan leader Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi for allegedly saying the intrusion by terrorists in Lahad Datu, Sabah in 2013 was a farce.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani
(pic) said the police had opened an investigation paper and that the case was being investigated by the Bukit Aman Classified Criminal Investigation Unit (USJT).
“We have sent USJT to assist the Sabah police contingent headquarters and witnesses will be called to give their statements,” he told a media conference after attending a Bukit Aman monthly assembly, here, Wednesday.
Asked to comment on Mohamaddin’s statement, Acryl Sani said it had offended the parties involved in the Lahad Datu incident.
“I do not want to comment further but what is important is we are investigating the case,” he said.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said in a statement that the accusation was an insult to the security forces and their families, as 10 members of the Malaysian security forces were killed in the tragedy.
Chief of Defence Force Jen Tan Sri Affendi Buang also said Mohamaddin’s statement belittled the role and responsibility of the armed forces.
When campaigning for Warisan in the 16th Sabah State Election three days ago, Mohamaddin, a former Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, had allegedly said the terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu was a sham.
Meanwhile, Acryl Sani said police are capable of tackling any threat in the Sabah State election, including the reported plan by foreign elements to disrupt polling on Saturday.
He said police do not take lightly information regarding the possible mass entry of elements from a neighbouring country to create trouble during the State election.
“We are always prepared to deal with any situation during the Sabah election, including by providing adequate assistance from Bukit Aman.
“We also have additional assistance from other security agencies such as the armed forces, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Rela and Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), which are always prepared to maintain security before, during and after the Sabah polls,” he said.
Acryl Sani said the number of police personnel sent to Sabah for the polls was sufficient for the time being.
On Sunday, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said they had received information that certain elements from a neighbouring country were planning to enter Sabah in large numbers to create trouble on polling day.
