Sabah Umno Youth lodges report over Christmas function

KIMANIS POLLS | Sabah Umno Youth has lodged a police report over allegations that a Christmas and New Year celebration in Membakut on Saturday broke election laws.

Beaufort Umno Youth chief Mohd Fadzli Miskeh lodged the report this morning.

He accused Warisan of distributing hampers and other lucky draw prizes during an official function.

"I believe there has been a breach of regulations under the Election Offences Act 1954," Mohd Fadzli said after lodging the report at Beaufort district police station.

"I urge the police to investigate and take action with no special treatment, as per the rule of law." 

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan on Saturday said he would instruct BN's operation centre to lodge a report over the alleged offences which he claimed was done as part of Warisan's campaign in the ongoing Kimanis parliamentary by-election.

A Kadazan Dusun Murut leader, however, yesterday denied links to Warisan and lambasted Mohamad for allegedly having insulted Sabahans.

The programme's organising committee chairperson Peter Chang explained that Warisan president Shafie Apdal was the guest of honour, in appreciation of the Sabah chief minister's move to announce an extra public holiday on Dec 26.

"The Christmas and New Year celebration in Membakut was not hosted by Warisan or NGO KDM Malaysia, but by the local Christian community," Chang said.

Fadzli, however, insisted their report today must be investigated by the authorities.

Membakut is one of two state seats under the Kimanis parliamentary seat.

Kadazandusuns make up 28 percent of 29,664 registered voters in Kimanis, a predominantly Muslim Bumiputera seat.

The by-election was called after the Federal Court on Dec 2 last year upheld an Election Court ruling that nullified Anifah Aman's 2018 victory for the Kimanis parliamentary seat.