False report on armed infiltration: Man jailed
Published on: Thursday, February 10, 2022
By: Stefyanie Myla Micheal
LAHAD DATU: A 42-year-old man who lodged a police report last week alleging that he saw a group of armed men infiltrating the country via Long Patau, Tambisan, here, admitted to making a false report.The confession was made before Magistrate Ryan Sagiran Rayner, here, Wednesday. The foreign national, known as Ben, was sentenced by Ryan to six months’ jail.
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According to a police statement, Ben made the report on Feb 3, at 7.54pm, at the Cenderawasih police station alleging that he saw a group of 13 men, believed to be from Southern Philippines, dressed in camouflage gear and carrying rifles entering Long Patau, Tambisan.
However, police investigations revealed this to be false and that Ben made the report with the intention of causing a commotion and attracting attention to the area.
“His actions were related to some personal and family problems as his marriage was not accepted by his family. He was hoping that his wife’s family would no longer bother him after the report,” said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah.
He said the man’s actions had led to panic among the public, whom Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had to placate through a statement on Feb 6, calling for calm.
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Ben was charged under Section 182 of the Penal Code for furnishing false information with the intent of causing a public servant to use his lawful power to injure another person.
After serving his sentence, he will be referred to the Immigration Department for further action.
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