KOTA KINABALU – Sabah STAR secretary-general Datuk Guan Dee Koh Hoi has appealed to party comrades and supporters for calm following the controversy revolving around member Phillip Among.
He said today that Among has been suspended from his position as the Putatan parliamentary coordinator with immediate effect following allegations he sexually harassed an Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant contestant.
Sabah STAR has taken note that there are already two police reports lodged and these have gone viral on social media.
“The first report involves the alleged indecent acts done by Among and the second one involves a security guard at the KDCA Cultural Hall in Penampang during the ongoing Kaamatan Harvest Festival which ended on May 31.
“Sabah STAR is a party which has its own constitution and all matters can be resolved in accordance with the party rules.
“We are now mulling whether to suspend or sack him from the party, and this will be decided by the disciplinary board,” he said.
It was reported earlier that an Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant contestant lodged a police report for sexual harassment.
A social media frenzy was sparked as the victim identified Among, the technical chief of the pageant, who was alleged to have invited her for dinner after a studio filming session on May 19.
The police report was lodged at the Karamunsing police station on May 25.
The police are now probing into the sexual harassment allegation against Among.
Towards this end, Guan Dee, who is a member of the Dewan Negara and also federal deputy tourism, arts and culture minister, urged party supporters not to take action that would further complicate the matter.
Among was Sabah STAR’s candidate for the Kapayan state seat during the 13th General Election in 2013. – The Vibes, June 2, 2021
