STAR denies pro-Israel picture
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) has strongly denied a digital poster depicting pictures of its president Datuk Seri Panglima Jeffrey G Kitingan as supporting Israel in the current conflict with Hamas.
The poster appeared in a Facebook account, purportedly quoting the STAR president and one Philip Among as saying: “But Israel will be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation. You will not be put to shame or humiliated for ages everlasting”.
Below the quote were images of the flags of Sabah and Israel.
“STAR denies the accusation in the strongest terms and we consider this a blatant sabotage which is totally mischievous and malicious.
“To depict our president as standing behind Philip Among is another purposeful insult. Philip is not involved in the top decision making body of the party,” said STAR information chief Jeffrey Kumin.
Kumin said that STAR does not make decisions on international issues, least of all conflicts in the Midde East, which is rightly handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Putrajaya.
“As a policy, the party stands behind the stance taken by Malaysian government on the issue which has been voiced out by the prime minister,” he said.
“We appeal to the Malaysian police to go full force in investigating this grave offence for which several police reports have been made. We want the culprits behind this mischievous malice to be exposed and brought to justice as soon as possible.”
At least five police reports have been lodged by STAR against the Facebook user.
In a statement here yesterday, STAR Youth chief Rizal Johari said the party would also lodge a complaint with the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) against the user.
“The individual is not a STAR member and has often made posts on social media particularly Facebook, allegedly representing STAR in order to confuse the public.
“We have been monitoring his page but we have always valued other people’s rights to express themselves even if it is detrimental to our cause.
“However, this person has crossed the line this time when he posted the libelous image and accused STAR of endorsing violence. This is unacceptable and the authorities must take action,” Rizal said.
For this reason, Rizal said other than the five police reports, STAR from several other divisions will also lodge similar police reports against the user.
In the meantime, he urged STAR supporters to remain calm and not be easily swayed by statements that do not come from the party.