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Kota Kinabalu: Mazlan Joehari Manan, Special Officer to the Chief Minister, lambasted the lawyer representing businessman Albert Tei for questioning the action of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to lodge a police report against him (Albert) for possible criminal libel that involves jail sentence rather than merely sue for damages. 

Mazlan, who is also Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Lumadan Division chief, said the lawyer’s remarks that it is a calculated attempt to mislead the public and distort the true intent behind the legal action taken against his client were provocative, irresponsible and arrogant.

He said the lawyer was trying to create the perception that Hajiji was using political power to intimidate opponents, when lodging a report is in line with legal principles that allow any individual to take action when defamed.

“This is not about personal vengeance or political rivalry. This is about defending the truth and the dignity of the Chief Minister’s office.

“When someone makes defamatory public remarks, it is only right that legal action be taken,” Mazlan said in a statement on Thursday.

Albert’s counsel Mahajoth Singh said that Hajiji should have filed a civil suit against Tei instead of lodging a police report.

Mazlan stressed that calling a police report an abuse of public resources was a shallow and dismissive view of the nation’s justice institutions.

“If such remarks go unchallenged, it could foster an unhealthy culture where individuals facing prosecution hide behind freedom of speech rhetoric to avoid legal accountability.” 

Mazlan said Tei’s action in holding a press conference immediately after being charged in court and implicating the Chief Minister and enforcement agencies such as the MACC and the Attorney General’s Chambers reeked of political intent.

“He appears to want to drag everyone through the mud just because he was charged. That’s not the behaviour of someone seeking the truth, but someone trying to protect himself through public perception,” he said.

“If the client is innocent, prove it in court. Don’t muddy the legal process with politically charged statements,” Mazlan said.

He cautioned people not to fall into the trap of perception politics but continue placing trust in the legal institutions to carry out their duties independently and fairly.