KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has urged calm over rising racial tension over the death of a man from the Murut ethnic group, killed in an altercation today.
Albert Requel Agang, a man hailed as a Murut native chief, died earlier today from the injuries he suffered in a fight at the Heaven Restaurant in Beaufort, some two hours from here, on Friday.
Agang was badly injured in the head, after allegedly being slashed with a machete.
Sabah police are now looking for a 37-year-old man named Hobalan N. Vello and 34-year-old Kesavan Perambalan believed to be the two prime suspects in the case.
Agang’s death had sparked resentment among the Murut communities in Sabah and many fear it could trigger a backlash.
His death had also triggered concerns among the Dayak group in Pontianak, the capital city of West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Jeffrey, who is also president of the Dayak International Organisation, extended his condolences to Albert’s family, saying that no one should take laws into their own hands.
He said the police should be allowed to do their work and investigate the matter.
“I have contacted the state police chief who briefed me on the incident that was caught on the shop’s CCTV.
“The police are doing their best to track down the two suspects,” said Jeffrey, adding that those who are protecting the perpetrators would also be investigated.
There had been allegations that the two suspects, who are believed to be in hiding, are being protected by individuals with positions of power.
A photo of the two men with links to several police officers had been making rounds on the social media here in Sabah.
Hobalan had seven previous criminal records between 2003 and 2004 and was involved in the secret society group Geng 24 in Klang, Selangor.
He also spent a year in jail in 2007 under the Emergency (Public Order and Crime Prevention) Ordinance (2007).
The other suspect, Kesavan, had eight previous criminal records for various misdemeanors.
Another man also suffered injuries after he was allegedly hit on the head with a belt buckle during the incident.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey said the Sabah government will look into the current system that allows hardened criminals to be exiled to Sabah.
“Sabah has its own immigration laws and the chief minister has the power to refuse these people from coming here.
“The problem with the system is, these criminals are allowed to stay in peaceful districts and would then turn these districts into their new ‘headquarters’ to carry on doing their criminal activities because they still have their connections with their old gang,” he said.
He said the state government would not hesitate to kick out any troublemakers who came to Sabah.
At the same time, Jeffrey urged the people to behave themselves when consuming alcohol especially during this holiday season. – The Vibes, December 22, 2020
