Aspiring PKR candidate for Ba Kelalan out on bail following arrest over Facebook post

Martin Labo in a file picture.

MIRI (Jan 5): An aspiring Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate for Ba Kelalan in the coming state election, Martin Labo, 64, was arrested in Lawas yesterday following a police report lodged against him for allegedly slandering Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

Lawas District Police Chief DSP Roslan Leman confirmed the arrest today, adding that Martin has been released on bail.

“Yes, arrested yesterday. However, considering his age, he was later released on police bail after his statement was recorded,” Roslan told The Borneo Post when contacted.

He added that Martin was still under investigation under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation and Section 223 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for false accusation.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth Ba Kelalan branch had lodged the police report against Martin on Dec 20 for allegedly slandering GPS in a Facebook post on Dec 17.

In the post, Martin had allegedly claimed that the identification card application of many Lun Bawangs or Dayaks had been rejected and asked if the government was carrying out “systematic enthic (sic) cleansing”.

Martin had been referring to himself as PKR’s Ba Kelalan candidate on Facebook amid speculations that he could contest the seat after the incumbent, Baru Bian, quit the party last year.

There has been no official announcement from the party on his candidacy. The Sarawak state polls is expected to be held in the middle of this year.

The post Aspiring PKR candidate for Ba Kelalan out on bail following arrest over Facebook post appeared first on Borneo Post Online.

from Borneo Post Online https://bit.ly/3hKweg1
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