Sabah PKR man faces probe over claim of children sold

 

Cops say the statement by Raymond Ahuar could cause public disorder.

KOTA KINABALU: Police have opened two investigation papers over a recent statement by a Sabah politician claiming a woman in financial difficulties had tried to sell her children.

Keningau police chief Shahrudin Mat Hussin said investigations are being carried out on the basis that the statement, by Sabah PKR Youth chief Raymond Ahuar, could cause public disorder.

He said the woman had lodged a report denying Ahuar’s claims, and a police investigation into the matter had shown there was no issue over the sale of children or any human trafficking syndicate involved.

On Wednesday, Ahuar had claimed that the three children were the victims of human trafficking by their mother who had become desperate after her source of income was cut off because of movement restrictions.

He also alleged that the three children had been rescued by the police and the welfare department in Keningau.

However, Sabah police chief Hazani Ghazali had denied such an incident took place, following which Ahuar expressed his shock over the denial.

He said he was standing by his initial statement, and further claimed that he had seen a police report lodged over the alleged incident and that he had evidence from the policemen and welfare department officers involved in the rescue.

Shahrudin said Ahuar’s statement “is seen to have given rise to public fear because it touched on human trafficking issues and smuggling between countries, as if this is happening without control from the authorities”.

“The mother has also lodged a police report firmly denying the two statements by the politician,” he added.

“Police are always sensitive to crimes related to smuggling and human trafficking. We welcome any information from the public on these matters,” he said, advising the public against making statements before checking with the police.

Sabah PKR Youth information chief Razeef Rakimin described a statement by a state Bersatu Youth leader, urging the police to take action against Ahuar, as “desperate”.

In a statement today, Razeef said that Rafie Robert, the wing’s vice-chief, was probably worried that this alleged incident is happening in Keningau, where the latter is the Bersatu division youth chief.

Rafie had previously called on the police to take action against Ahuar for allegedly spreading fake information over the woman trying to sell her children. - FMT