KOTA KINABALU: A photograph of Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and businessman Albert Tei circulated on social media is a deliberate attempt to smear the caretaker Chief Minister and link him to the mining licensing scandal, says Gagasan Rakyat information chief Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan.
He said Hajiji meets various people from all sectors in his position, and such official meetings are also attended by his senior officers.
"We believe individuals behind the social media post are acting maliciously by using a photo to imply that (Hajiji) was involved in the mining controversy.
"While Hajiji does not deny knowing or having met Albert Tei, the post clearly seeks to politicise an ordinary official meeting. It is an irresponsible act," Nizam said in a statement on Friday (Oct 24).
From the onset of the allegations by the businessman, Nizam said the Chief Minister had been transparent by calling on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, assuring that the state government would cooperate fully.
"All allegations must be proven through due legal process, not through a slander campaign on social media," Nizam added.
He also said that Tei, who was barred from entering Sabah on Thursday (Oct 23), did not inform Immigration officers at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport that he was here for the mention of his bribery case at the Sessions Court.
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"It is clear that he played a perception drama. He entered Sabah, telling the officers he was only meeting friends, (and) failed to show the required court summons," he said, referring to Tei's claim that he was denied entry into Sabah for a second time.
Hajiji’s opponents have been turning up the heat over the alleged mining scandal that implicated 14 GRS assemblymen, including eight state ministers, ahead of the Nov 29 state election.
Earlier on Friday, Tei said he had applied to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Hajiji for not allowing him to enter the state to attend court.
