YONG AMONG SAPP TOP BRASS QUIZZED BY COPS

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee were among six SAPP leaders summoned by police here on Tuesday in connection with a peaceful gathering on Dec 9 last year.

The gathering called on the government to ensure safety of locals following the killing of a schoolgirl in December.

The other five are Secretary General Datuk Richard Yong, Wanita Chief cum Luyang Assemblywoman Melanie Chia, Youth Chief Edward Dagul, Kota Kinabalu Zone Youth Chief John Stephen and Supreme Council Member Stephan Gaimin.

Information Chief Chong Pit Fah said police recorded statements after one and a half hour interviews between 10am and 11.30am.

However, Gaimin was unable to attend.

He added that SAPP leaders gave full cooperation to the police during the entire course of interviews.

He said the peaceful gathering which was held in front of the RHB Bank at Gaya Street, here, on Dec 9, 2012 also called on the government to ensure justice ib the case as well to the family of the murder victim.

He added the gathering also called on the government to address the perennial problems of the huge presence of illegal immigrants in Sabah.

The murder victim was Norikoh Saliwah, 16, whose body was found at the roadside of Kg.Ranau in Kota Marudu on Nov 25, 2012.

A suspect, Amir Ali Khan Nawatay, 40, hailing from Buner, Pakistan, is now awaiting trial for causing her death.

Chong added that this was the second time SAPP leaders were summoned after holding peaceful gathering calling on the government to practice fairness to the people of Sabah.

He said last year more than 11 SAPP leaders were summoned by the police following a peaceful gathering at the Chong Thain Vun Park on Aug 31.

According to him, the gathering themed Sabah Merdeka 49 years, was to remind the people that Malaysia was formed in 1963 and not 1957. (DE)