PAKATAN Harapan (PH) has firmly denied accusations that it funded an RM8 million social media campaign aimed at discrediting Parti Warisan during the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN).
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Communications Chief Datuk Fahmi Fadzil described the allegation by Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal as entirely unfounded, insisting that PH simply does not possess the financial resources claimed.
“I do not know what he is talking about. For Pakatan Harapan, we do not have funds like that,” he told reporters after visiting the Sabah PRN Media Centre in Penampang on Tuesday.
Mohd Shafie had earlier alleged that political opponents had deployed public funds amounting to RM8 million to fuel a racially charged social media operation designed to undermine Warisan, diverting attention from the state’s developmental needs.
Commenting on the tenor of ongoing campaigning, Fahmi, who also serves as Communications Minister, reiterated the government’s concern over attempts by certain parties to exploit issues related to the monarchy, religion and race—commonly referred to as 3R—on digital platforms.
“We are very worried about any campaign activities based on 3R issues. This is not allowed.
“Campaign in a healthy manner and use intelligent and thoughtful arguments because we do not want actions that could damage social harmony and unity,” he said.
He added that the Communications Ministry, together with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), takes all complaints related to 3R content seriously and will act where there are legal breaches.
Fahmi also revealed that, to date, three cases involving the dissemination of unlawful information during the Sabah PRN are under MCMC review.
Assault on Journalist
In a separate development, Fahmi expressed hope that investigations into the assault of sports journalist and National Press Club (NPC) Deputy President Haresh Deol in Bangsar on Tuesday would be expedited.
He stressed that the safety of media practitioners, particularly while on duty, is non-negotiable.
“I was informed of this incident while attending a programme in Kota Kinabalu. I contacted Haresh to obtain further information on what happened this afternoon.
“Haresh informed me that he had just lodged a police report and was in the midst of completing his medical documentation,” he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
Earlier, Haresh—co-founder of the news portal TwentyTwo13—shared on X that he had been assaulted by two men as he walked to his car, while another individual recorded the incident on a mobile phone.
According to Brickfields District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Hoo Chang Hook, police are tracking down three men believed to be involved in the attack, which occurred along Jalan Maarof near a shopping centre car park as Haresh was walking towards Jalan Telawi. - November 26, 2025
