Amanah lodges report against independent’s use of party logo

A police report has been lodged against a number of supporters of Sandakan by-election independent candidate Hamzah Abdullah for using the Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) logo.

The report was made by state Amanah Youth chief Khairuddin Daud here at 10.30am yesterday.

He claimed that he saw a group of men handing out materials while campaigning at Pasar Kim Fung here at 8.30am.

Hamzah, who is a founder of Amanah Sabah, is among three independent candidates contesting in the by-election.

At a press conference, Khairuddin said Hamzah resigned as Sabah Amanah’s chairman last year and the state chapter had a new chairman.

Prior to nomination day last Saturday, Hamzah had texted Amanah secretary-general Mohd Anuar Mohd Tahir stating that he had left the party and would contest as an independent in the byelection.

“We regret that he is using Amanah members... we have no idea who they are. But they are wearing shirts with our party logo and distributing (Hamzah’s) leaflets.

“We see this is as a provocation by the independent candidate, not only to Amanah, but also to the DAP candidate.”

In an immediate response, Hamzah lodged a police report to counter Khairuddin’s.

“During the flyer distribution, supporters wearing Amanah Tshirts joined me. I never forced them to join, but they voluntarily assisted me. I can’t prevent them from helping me because that’s their right,” he said yesterday.

Hamzah also lodged a report against Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar for allegedly defaming him over allegations of party hopping.