KOTA KINABALU – At least five police reports have been lodged by Sabah’s Homeland Solidarity Party (Sabah STAR) against a Facebook user, who uploaded an image accusing Sabah STAR leaders of supporting Israel.
Its Youth chief Rizal Johari said the party will also lodge a complaint with the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) against the user.
“The individual is not a Sabah STAR member and has often posted on social media – particularly Facebook – allegedly representing Sabah STAR in order to confuse the public,” Rizal said in a statement.
Facebook user Danny Lukas Jr – believed to be a fake account which has since been deleted – had uploaded an image multiple times yesterday around 6pm indicating that Sabah STAR was supporting Israel.
The image had photos of Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan and party member Philip Among saying: “Seluruh jentera STAR Sabah teguh bersama Israel” (All the arms of Sabah STAR stand firm with Israel).
Rizal said the party has been monitoring the Facebook account, but they have always valued other people’s rights to express themselves even if it is detrimental to their cause.
“However, this person has crossed the line this time when he posted the libellous image and accused Sabah STAR of endorsing violence.
“This is unacceptable, and the authorities must take action,” he said.
Rizal said besides the five police reports, the party’s other divisions will also lodge similar police reports against the user.
He urged Sabah STAR supporters to remain calm and not be easily swayed by statements that do not come from the party.
Meanwhile, Sabah STAR information chief Jeffrey Kumin denied vehemently that the party is supporting Israel in the current conflict with Hamas.
He said Sabah STAR considers the image posted by the Facebook user as a blatant sabotage which is malicious.
“To depict our president as standing behind Philip Among is another purposeful insult.
“Philip is not involved in the top decision-making body of the party,” he said.
Kumin said that Sabah STAR doesn’t make decisions on international issues, least of all conflicts in the Middle East, which is rightfully handled by the foreign affairs ministry and Putrajaya.
“As a policy, the party stands behind the stance taken by the Malaysian government on the issue as announced by the prime minister.
“We appeal to the police to go full force in investigating this grave offence and to expose the culprits behind this malice so that justice can be served as soon as possible,” he said. –The Vibes, May 16, 2021
