TAWAU: Four men were arrested, here, over offences related to the Sabah 17th State Legislative Assembly General Election (PRU DU).
Tawau District Police Chief, ACP Jasmin Hussin, said they were linked to defamatory statements against Apas candidate Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan (GRS) and criminal threats against his wife, Datin Wahida Mardiana Norsalim.
“To date, we have received seven police reports and opened five investigation papers under Section 427 of the Penal Code, Section 500/233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, and Section 379 of the Penal Code,” he said.
He explained that among the reported offences were vandalism against campaign party flags and the spreading of false statements or defamatory content on social media.
Currently, he said, the police are still conducting further investigations and will ensure that the cases are handled properly before being handed over to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further instructions.
He spoke to the media after casting his early vote at the Tawau IPD Multi-Purpose Hall on Tuesday.
The Early Voting process at the Tawau IPD involved 750 officers and members from all units, including the Marine Police Force (PPM).
Jasmin said 436 officers and personnel would be assigned throughout the voting and vote counting processes at two vote counting centres, namely the Tawau Community Hall and SJK (C) Yuk Chin Hall.
“We urge the public to plan their travel time to the polling stations so that the process will run smoothly,” he said, adding no roads will be closed on election day.
On vote counting centres, which are expected to be “heated,” Jasmin said the police considered all constituencies to be sensitive areas. However, more attention would be focused on the Kalabakan Parliamentary constituency.
