Ismail Sabri slams Mohamaddin Ketapi for Lahad Datu comments

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has slammed Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi for allegedly insulting Malaysian security forces and claiming the Lahad Datu incident was a mere political ploy.

The Senior Minister (Security) said the Parti Warisan Sabah politician's statement that the incident was a "drama" for political gains of certain parties is a grave insult to the security forces.

"It is also besmirched on their sacrifices, especially 10 personnel who lost their lives during the incident in 2013.

"All security forces, especially the Armed Forces and the police know the truth of the incident, and no one has questioned its validity," he said in a statement on Monday (Sept 21).

While the nation has just celebrated the 87th Armed Forces Day, the politician's statement reflected how he did not understand and even disrespected the sacrifices of the country's security forces, he added.

"All parties should not touch on sensitive issues, especially on safety and sovereignty, that could spark anger and discomfort on others," Ismail Sabri said.

Mohamaddin has since apologised and claimed that his comments were taken out of context.

"I would never insult and have never made fun of the security forces," the Warisan candidate for the Segama state seat had said earlier on Monday.

He said the video showing a short clip of him supposedly insulting the security forces in the intrusion was taken out of context as it did not show his whole speech.

“However, I would like to sincerely apologise if anyone, especially our security forces feel insulted or are hurt by that part of my speech,” he said in a statement.