Sabah DCM lodges police report over slanderous MyKad posters

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Wilfred Madius Tangau (middle, white shirt) showing a copy of the police report to Upko members who accompanied their president to the Penampang police station.

PENAMPANG: Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Wilfred Madius Tangau has lodged a police report over digital posters that accuse him of involvement in issuing identity cards to illegal immigrants and betraying his people.

Tangau, who is also state industry and trade minister, said the posters, which have gone viral on social media, not only tarnished his and the government’s reputation but that he had also been getting threats because of them.

As a result, he said he was concerned about his and his family’s safety.

“This is not the first time… several times before, but now it’s more serious because I believe it has gone right to the grassroots … I’ve been getting calls from Kuamut and Keningau (in interior Sabah) and Kudat, from even those whom I don’t know.

“I fear for my life because I can see the tone of the voices, they are very angry,” he said, adding he had lodged a police report about similar postings previously.

“I don’t know the intentions of these people who made this posting in social media but it has really tarnished my reputation and that of my family and the state government,” he said after lodging the police report here today.

Tangau said he came across the posting at 5pm yesterday but did not think much of it at first.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Wilfred Madius Tangau (fifth from left, front row) showing the police report with Upko members. Inset is the digital poster that went viral in social media.

“Several friends posted it to me too but I didn’t bother in the beginning, but later in the evening, I began receiving calls and texts from people who were threatening me, sending all kinds of things about me and my family.

“So obviously this particular Whatsapp text has created hatred and anger towards me personally and the government,” he said.

The Upko president said such hate politics should be stopped, urging the authorities to bring such people to justice.

“We are in politics, whatever opinion is normal in any democracy. But when you go into this campaign of hatred, especially if it is baseless, it has no place in our society.

“Anybody who spreads this kind of information, they are also equally responsible because it affects people’s lives. I hope such slander can be stopped as it does not benefit anyone,” Tangau said. - FMT