KOTA KINABALU – Troubled Sabah politician Phillip Among has initiated legal action against two individuals over allegations of sexual harassment in police reports they have lodged.
Among, who has been suspended as Sabah Star Putatan parliamentary coordinator, named a Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant contestant and a People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel in his legal bid.
“I have instructed my lawyers to file court proceedings against the two individuals, together with certain publishers. My lawyers, Marcel Jude & Co, will also be issuing further suits against those who published malicious stories on the internet, such as (on) WhatsApp.
“At no time did I molest or sexually harass the Unduk Ngadau participant. The story and police reports are a fabrication intended to hurt and damage me and my family, and my personal and public reputation,” Among said in a statement today.
He has also scheduled a press conference at 11.30am today at his office here.
In his defence, he said he has done so much for the community where he has been assigned to serve.
“As a result, I have received much support from the rakyat but, at the same time, there have been many people who are jealous and willing to resort to gutter politics to harm and destroy me.
“The report on sexual molestation is utterly untrue. The timing of the report is clearly an afterthought made by (the accuser).
“Why make the false report more than two days later? I am very disappointed and sad that she has resorted to this kind of unlawful action.”
He said a formal complaint will also be lodged under the Communications and Multimedia Act over the allegations against him circulating in social media.
On the Rela guard, Among believed it is part of a political conspiracy against him, saying he had gone to the festival venue for work but was “unlawfully stopped”.
“He committed trespass to and again almost two days later, he went and filed a false police report just because I argued with him to let me through.
“He totally twisted and turned the story as if he was the victim but, in actual fact, this particular person was going to ruin a statewide function by his unlawful action,” said Among.
Police have launched an investigation into the sexual harassment report against Among.
Yesterday, The Vibes reported that a police report was lodged against Among at the Karamunsing police station on May 25.
In the report, the victim said she got into the suspect’s vehicle and, while on their way to the restaurant, Among had sexually harassed her.
The victim alleged that, despite rejecting the suspect’s advances, he continued to molest her after taking her to his office after dinner.
In another police report, a 65-year-old man – who was said to be on duty as a security guard – alleged that Among had violated SOPs during the Kaamatan Harvest Festival Sugandoi singing contest.
In the police report dated yesterday, the Rela guard said that on May 29, Among and four of his friends entered the KDCA Hall but were stopped as they were not wearing special tags issued for the event.
Among was apparently unhappy with the guard’s action and scolded him.
“Do you know who I am, I am powerful, who dares to scold me for not wearing a name tag and mask. I don’t need security guards like this. I have my own security and 30 bouncers. I am the one who is paying your salary,” the guard told police the man had said. – The Vibes, June 3, 2021
