Shafie pointed out Mohamaddin had already issued an apology, but would call him “(to find out) why he said as such”.
Asked whether Mohamaddin’s remarks could jeopardise Warisan’s campaign in the state elections, he said: “We will continue our fight, he has said sorry.”
Earlier today Mohamaddin had denied belittling security forces involved in defending the country against 200 Sulu militants in the 2013 Lahad Datu intrusion.
He had been reported as saying that many people died in the Lahad Datu intrusion because of the “sandiwara” (farce). He said his remarks, taken from a video clip, had been misconstrued and taken out of context.
Mohamaddin, a former federal tourism minister, said he was only highlighting the BN government’s failure to improve its defence assets and of the difficulties faced by the security forces because of the previous Sabah government’s failure to address the issue of illegal immigrants.
“The video that went viral should have been played in its entirety,” he said in a statement.
Mohamaddin’s remarks drew a storm of criticism from political opponents as well as the security forces, who noted that 56 militants, 10 members of the Malaysian military, and six civilians had died in the two-month-long conflict.
Among the critics was Parti Cinta Sabah president Anifah Aman, a former foreign minister, who said Mohamaddin had insulted the security forces and their loved ones.
Another critic was Mohamad Jalani Hj Chachu, the PN candidate for Merotai, who appealed to Sabah voters to reject all Warisan candidates in the Sabah state assembly elections in a show of solidarity for Malaysia’s sovereignty.
Sabah veterans to lodge police reports
The Sabah Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association said every branch will be asked to file police reports against Mohamaddin. The association’s president, Marshid Mohd Salleh, said Mohamaddin should not have used the issue as election campaign material.
“Look for other issues to politicise instead of the tragedy which claimed the lives of security forces protecting the country’s peace and sovereignty,” he said, according to Bernama. “The campaign statement is regarded as being insensitive to the feelings of families and security forces involved in the tragedy.”
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