Kota Kinabalu: Warisan Vice President Datuk Jaujan Sambakong has expressed concern over a viral social media hoax falsely reporting his death, describing it as slander beneath anyone with religious values.
“When we have religious convictions, how can we do something like this? Spreading slander. Saying I am dead,” said the Sulabayan Assemblyman when contacted after the fabricated message circulated on Facebook and TikTok early Monday.
Jaujan said the incident caused unnecessary distress to his family and flooded his phone with calls from concerned friends and relatives in the early hours before he had even woken up, including from Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who called to check on his wellbeing.
“It is very distressing, especially to my family,” he said.
When asked what could have triggered such an irresponsible act, he said there had been no prior dispute or indication that could have given rise to such a rumour, describing it as entirely unprovoked.
His sister in Semporna has since lodged a police report, and Jaujan has called on the Semporna District Police Headquarters to investigate those behind the Facebook and TikTok accounts responsible for spreading the false news.
“I am alive and in good health. I remain active in my duties; in fact, I have and am scheduled to attend several Hari Raya open houses and wedding functions in Semporna.
“I hope those responsible will stop this nonsense. It is shameful,” he said.
