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Kota Kinabalu: Businessman Andrew Chew Taw En  submitted a memorandum to Deputy Communications Minister, Teo Nie Ching, at Putrajaya on Tuesday, calling for a full investigation into two Sabah Chinese newspapers over alleged fake news and misuse of the Prime Minister’s name and image.

In the memorandum, he said the newspapers had published reports suggesting the Prime Minister would attend a dinner at the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC) in November 2025, despite Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) issuing a statement the same day confirming that the Prime Minister had no such engagement in his official schedule.

“The reports led about 1,500 people to gather at the venue expecting the Prime Minister’s arrival, but he did not appear.

He also cited an October report claiming the Prime Minister had encouraged a local “Datuk” to work hard, a claim not reported by other media outlets.

“Why was similar encouragement not reported as being given to recognised PKR leaders in Sabah?” he said.

In another incident, he said the same individual was repeatedly quoted in the media giving views on the Sabah budget despite not holding a senior party position, while established state leaders were overlooked.

Andrew added that the individual's elder brother is currently facing a criminal breach of trust case in court, and that such media exposure could indirectly influence public perception of the case.

"The Chinese daily reported as if the family had close ties to the Prime Minister and that they have contributed significantly to the general public.

“I urge Communications Ministry to investigate the motive behind the reports, the alleged misuse of the Prime Minister’s name and image, and whether the newspapers were being used to whitewash certain individuals.

“I call on the ministry to ensure that media organisations and journalists are not manipulated to serve personal or political interests,” he said.

Acting on MCMC’s suggestion, On Thursday (Jan 22), he alongside 30 others lodged police reports at the city station in Kepayan here under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

He said the matter was raised with the ministry instead of the newspapers directly because the public has no control over what media organisations choose to publish, and only the authorities have the power to investigate and take action.