KUCHING, May 18: State Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chief Baru Bian rubbishes Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru’s allegation against him and in turn, will take action against the party.
The case mentioned by PBDSB, according to Baru, is now pending in court as action is being taken against the complainant and his lawyer for defamation and libel.
PBDSB information chief Bobby William had issued a statement earlier today asking for Pakatan Harapan to screen a Member of Parliament who may be appointed as a cabinet minister.
The party in a press statement titled “PH harus melakukan tapisan dalam melantik Menteri Penuh Persekutuan” (PH should use screening in federal minister appointments) said the MP who is also a state assemblyman had a police case pending against him involving native customary rights (NCR) land.
Though no name was mentioned in the statement, Baru who is both Selangau MP and Ba’Kelalan assemblyman responded to it, explaining that the case that PBDSB is referring to was based on a police report lodged on Nov 22, 2016 by one Nickodemus Singgai against him and PKR deputy president See Chee How who is also Batu Lintang assemblyman.
“The statement is based on a police report lodged on 22 November 2016 by one Nickodemus anak Singgai against me and YB See Chee How. We are taking action against the complainant and his lawyer for defamation and libel, and the matter is now pending in court.”
Baru pointed out that the complaint was made but the complainant did not pursue the case.
“I would like to point out that the complainant who lodged the report did not bother to pursue the matter with the police, and no charge was ever proferred against me or YB See.”
“However, we are aware that PBDSB has played up this police report on various social media platforms on several occasions. It is unfortunate that they do not bother to display any professionalism by verifying the truth behind the police report before using it in their attempts to tarnish my reputation, for whatever reason they may have,” said Baru in a statement today.
He said the statement has been sent to the press and posted in PBDSB Facebook page, Reject Baram Dam Project Facebook page, and several WhatsApp chat groups including Ruai Intellectual Dayak and Pemansang Dayak.
“Although my name is not mentioned, it is clear that the only person who fits the description of PKR lawyer, ADUN and MP is me. It is telling that members of PBDS Baru do not have the courage or conviction to mention my name but resort to the cowardly act of allusion.
“Since this matter is now in the public domain, I will be sending letters of demand to Bobby William, (PBDSB president) Cobbold John, (PBDSB youth chief) Rapelson Richard Hamit and any other individuals who are disseminating this defamatory statement,” said Baru. — DayakDaily
