Sabah STAR politician suspended from role within party after sexual assault allegation

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah STAR has suspended one of its members from a coordinating role within the party, after he was accused of molesting an Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen) participant.

Secretary General Datuk Guandee Kohoi said the party will decide whether to sack the member from the party in a disciplinary board meeting.

"The matter is being looked into seriously by the party," he said in a statement on Wednesday (June 2).

The Unduk Ngadau contestant had lodged a police report on May 21, claiming that the politician - who was also a pageant official - had molested her after a pageant-related photoshoot on May 19.

A second police report was also lodged against the same politician by a security guard at the Hongkod Koisaan Cultural Hall in Penampang recently as well, claiming that the politician had used physical force on him during an argument.

Guandee said the actions taken by the party showed that they are a party that is willing to listen to public grouses and concerns and take necessary actions when required.

“For now, let us all keep calm and not say or do things that will further worsen the situation, ” he said.

“Please trust us to do what is best for this party, ” he added.

Meanwhile, leaders including Kapayan assemblywoman Jenny Lasimbang, Luyang assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe and Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin have come out to condemn the alleged incident and urged the authorities to conduct a thorough and fair probe on the matter.