11 Warisan leaders questioned over two gatherings
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) deputy president Darell Leiking was among 11 Warisan leaders who gave their statements to the police yesterday over the public gathering held at the Kota Kinabalu court compound and candlelight gathering opposite the Suria Mall on October 9.
The others were vice president Junz Wong, secretary-general Loretto Padua Jr, party treasurer Terrence Siambun, party’s information chief Honorsius Bosuin and Wirawati deputy chief Jo-Anna Rampas.
Beaufort Wanita leader Hajah Johair Matlani, Wira deputy chief Nicholas Chak, Wirawati chief Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis as well as Norazmi Alimat and Haji Mentoh Aru from the party’s Sepanggar division were also summoned to give their statements at the Karamunsing police station between 11 am and 2 pm yesterday.
Leiking said yesterday that both events - courthouse gathering and candlelight vigil - were not organised by Warisan.
“People came on their own; they don’t need to be invited in such cases. People always go to the courts to support their friends and relatives. It was spontaneous; not organised. It was of public interest and that’s why people came,” he said.
Leiking added that while he understood that the police were just doing their duties, it was likely that there were pressures coming from the top or those who reside in the corridors of power who were asking for an investigation into the Warisan leaders.
“All these inconveniences (investigations) shall not be a distraction and we will continue to focus on the mission of change. We can only come back stronger.”
Leiking said there were about 500 Warisan supporters at the Kota Kinabalu courthouse on Oct 6 when Warisan vice president Peter Anthony was taken to the remanded.
He said although the crowd was peaceful, the police later station a Light Strike Force (PORU) unit at the steps leading to the High Court premises. Subsequently, he said in the other remand cases, the gates to the courthouse were locked and supporters had to gather outside and along the road fronting the courthouse.