SABAH POLLS | A total of 72 police reports have been lodged against Warisan leader Mohamaddin Ketapi for allegedly saying the intrusion by terrorists in Lahad Datu, Sabah in 2013 was a farce.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the police had opened an investigation paper and that the case was being investigated by the Bukit Aman Classified Criminal Investigation Unit (USJT).

“We have sent USJT to assist the Sabah police contingent headquarters and witnesses will be called to give their statements,” he told a media conference after attending a Bukit Aman monthly assembly today.

Asked to comment on Mohamaddin’s statement, Acryl Sani said it had offended the parties involved in the Lahad Datu incident.

“I do not want to comment further but what is important is we are investigating the case,” he said.

Read more: Sabah Decides 2020: Making sense of the players, parties and battles

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said in a statement that the accusation was an insult to the security forces and their families, as 10 members of the Malaysian security forces were killed in the tragedy.

Chief of Defence Force General Affendi Buang also said Mohamaddin’s statement belittled the role and responsibility of the armed forces.

When campaigning for Warisan in the 16th Sabah state election three days ago, Mohamaddin, a former tourism, arts and culture minister, had allegedly said the terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu was a sham.

- Bernama

Malaysiakini is currently providing stories on the Sabah polls for free. Continue to support Malaysiakini and independent journalism by subscribing for as little as RM20 per month.

Follow Malaysiakini's coverage of the Sabah state election here.