Sabah’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has criticised businessman Albert Tei for making statements unrelated to the Zara Qairina Mahathir case during a recent rally in Kuala Lumpur to demand justice for the Form 1 student’s death.
LDP president Chin Su Phin said Tei, who is facing corruption charges in Sabah, seemingly tried to garner political sympathy and undermine the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led Sabah government at last Friday’s gathering.
Chin also said PAS leaders such as Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar used the rally to voice political demands unrelated to Zara’s death.
“It is unacceptable for such platforms to be turned into political tools. Such behaviour is a disservice to the victim, the family, and society at large,” he said.
“This opportunistic behaviour not only tainted the solemn purpose of the gathering, but also revealed the calculated political motives behind it.
“Whether such manipulation originates from opposition parties, public officials, or businessmen with vested interests, Sabah will categorically reject it.”
Hundreds of participants gathered outside the Sogo shopping complex during the three-hour protest. Many were attired in black, and wore headbands and carried placards saying “Justice for Zara” and “Stop bullying”.
The gathering was organised by a group of 100 Malay-Muslim NGOs to show continued moral support and unity for Zara and her family.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers said today that several suspects believed to have bullied Zara will be charged in court.
‘Ban Akmal from entering Sabah’
Chin also called on the Sabah government to ban Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh from entering the state because of his “provocative actions” surrounding the national flag.
He said Akmal’s attempts to take advantage of national symbols for partisan interests only deepened national tensions, and his repeated “inflammatory rhetoric” made him a symbol of political extremism.
“The people of Sabah have the right to peace and dignity, and any individual who repeatedly provokes division shall not be allowed to sow discord on Sabah’s soil,” he said.
“The state will never tolerate political extremism, federal indifference, or any form of manipulation of public sentiment that threatens its social fabric.”
Akmal is being investigated for sedition, criminal intimidation, and improper use of network facilities over a Facebook video in which he allegedly made statements that could disrupt public peace.
The video in question is related to a hardware store owner in Kepala Batas, Penang, who was caught on video allegedly hanging the Jalur Gemilang upside down.
