Warisan hit by “friendly fire” days before Sabah state election
KTemoc Konsiders
Warisan, the party leading the incumbent coalition in the Sabah polls, suffered a self-inflicted injury at a critical period in its re-election campaign as early voting for police and military personnel begins today.
The injury was inflicted by the party’s supreme council member Mohammadin Ketapi, who also had a colourful tenure as tourism, culture and arts minister in the previous Pakatan Harapan government.
Mohammadin had claimed gays didn’t exist in Malaysia, said he was “too poor”to declare his assets when the then Harapan government made asset declaration compulsory and shot down a fellow coalition MP who raised concerns about child sexual abuse.
Mohammadin alleged the armed incursion on Lahad Datu, Sabah, by militants from the southern Philippines in 2013 was a farce
In his latest controversy, Mohammadin, who is the Silam MP and also being fielded to contest the Segama state seat, claimed the armed incursion on Lahad Datu, Sabah by militants from the southern Philippines in 2013 was a “show” (sandiwara).
Two police commandos were killed during initial skirmishes in Lahad Datu and one army man was killed by sniper fire while sweeping for enemy combatants.
Another six police officers were killed in a separate ambush in Kunak, Semporna, around 150km away from the main conflict site. Some of their bodies were reportedly mutilated.
In that incident, militants had infiltrated Kunak and the police were lured into the village, believing they were dealing with regular criminals. Another military personnel also died in a car accident.
The conflict took place between February and March, two months before the 13th general election was called on May 5, 2013.
Mohammadin had insinuated that the incursion was related to the then BN-led government to shore up its support in the general election.
His controversial comment while campaigning in the Sabah election was recorded on video and went viral on social media yesterday, the eve of early voting for security forces personnel in the Sabah election.
