Raymond
KOTA KINABALU: Police are investigating the claim by a Sabah PKR politician that a woman in Keningau district had allegedly tried to sell her children due to financial hardship.
Keningau police chief Shahrudin Mat Hussin said investigations are being carried out on the basis that the statement by Sabah PKR Youth chief Raymond Ahuar, could cause public disorder.
He said the woman had lodged a report denying Ahuar’s claims, and a police investigation had shown there was no selling of children or any human trafficking.
On Wednesday, Ahuar had claimed that the three children were the victims of human trafficking by their mother who had become desperate after her income was affected by movement restrictions.
He also alleged that the three children had been rescued by the police and the Welfare Department in Keningau.
However, Sabah police chief Hazani Ghazali had denied such an incident.
Ahuar stood by his initial statement, and further claimed that he had seen a police report lodged over the alleged incident and that he had evidence from the policemen and Welfare Department officers involved in the rescue.
Shahrudin said Ahuar’s statement “is seen to have given rise to public fear because it touched on human trafficking issues and smuggling between countries, as if this is happening without control from the authorities”.
He said police had made a thorough investigation of Ahuar’s initial claim and found there was no issue related to the sale of children or a human trafficking syndicate being involved.
“The mother has also lodged a police report firmly denying the two statements by the politician,” he added.
“Police are always sensitive to crimes related to smuggling and human trafficking. We welcome any information from the public on these matters,” he said, advising the public against making statements before checking with the police.