Latest news with #InternationalArbitrationColloquium
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
SAPP sues DAP portal over alleged false images of Lahad Datu intrusion
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is suing DAP's portal Roketkini for allegedly uploading fake images of the 2013 incursion in Lahad Datu. The suit was filed by SAPP president and former chief minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, historian Stephan Gaimin and activist Asraf Amir on July 10. They are seeking a public apology from DAP and Roketkini over the allegedly fake picture and information, which have been publicly accessible since 2013, and a promise not to upload any fake or misleading content. Yong said that after the suit was filed, they found that the portal had taken down the said material without any apology, correction, or explanation. 'The materials uploaded were fake and misled public understanding about the Lahad Datu intrusion in 2013,' Yong said when contacted on Thursday (July 17). He said he came across the photos and article dated Feb 24, 2013, which were obtained from a separate conflict in the Southern Philippines but used as though it was of the Lahad Datu incident. He said the images induced unnecessary fear among the people and caused confusion during the crisis. Yong said he is unsure if the article and photos were taken down at the instruction of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) or voluntarily by DAP, and that these details would only come out during litigation. Recalling the International Arbitration Colloquium on the Sulu claim on Sabah, at the Sabah International Convention Centre on July 4, 2023, he said he was shocked to see the photos and articles which were shown by a senior lawyer from Kuala Lumpur. 'The photos... during the presentation (made it seem as if) they were taken during the actual intrusion in Sabah,' he said. Later, when reading a Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) publication on this issue, Yong also saw the same picture reprinted in an academic context. He said such usage of the Roketkini article had turned it into part of the narrative, spreading the damage of the allegedly false information and prompting the need for legal action. 'There may be (others who) mistakenly depended on this DAP propaganda portal, and DAP is the largest government party in Parliament,' he said, adding that merely taking down the content did not excuse the damage that has been done.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Round 1 victory to Sabahans: Roketkini.com takes down false article
(From left to right) Asraf, Stephan, Yong, Tungku community leader Datu Shuaib bin Mutalib and lawyer Yong Yit Jee announcing Round 1 victory to Sabahans in the suit against DAP and KOTA KINABALU (July 16): Less than 24 hours after legal action was taken, the propaganda mouthpiece of DAP, quietly took down an article containing a false image that had remained online since 2013. No apology. No correction. No explanation. Only 404 (means 'content not found'). The lawsuit, filed on 10 July 2025 by former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee, historian Stephan Gaimin and activist Asraf Amir, targets DAP and for publishing and circulating false content that distorted public understanding of the 2013 Lahad Datu incursion. The article, dated 24 February 2013, featured a photo falsely linked to the incursion in Tanduo, Lahad Datu. In reality, the image was taken from a separate conflict in the southern Philippines but was presented as if it depicted the Sabah incursion. The image showed what appeared to be a full-fledged, well-trained military force. This misrepresentation caused unnecessary fear among the public and added to the confusion during a time of real national crisis. A check on the DAP propaganda outlet on 11 July 2025, showed that had taken down the offending page that concerned the 2013 Sulu incursion. Now the original link (URL: returns a standard HTTP Error 404, the usual result when a page is removed without redirection or explanation. Whether the offending image was taken down on MCMC's instruction or voluntarily by DAP will be known as the litigation proceeds. Recalling the International Arbitration Colloquium on the Sulu claim of about RM70 billion (USD15 billion) against Sabah, held at the Sabah International Convention Centre on 4 July 2023, Yong said he was shocked to see photos of the same incident in Sulu was portrayed as if it were from the Sabah incursion, projected on screen during a presentation by a senior lawyer from Kuala Lumpur. Later, when reading a book published by Penerbit Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), titled 'Kedaulatan Negara Harga Mati: Pencerobohan Sulu dan Dampaknya Kepada Keselamatan Pantai Timur Sabah', Yong saw that the same photo had been reprinted in an academic context. The article eventually made its way into formal narratives. That confirmed how far the falsehood had spread and led to the decision to initiate legal proceedings. 'I decided on legal action because probably more people and organisations out there are mistaken in relying on the DAP propaganda mouthpiece, since DAP is a government party and the biggest party in Parliament,' said Yong. 'While we acknowledge the removal of the false content, this partial, Round 1 victory to Sabahans does not absolve DAP of the full extent of the damage caused. 'We demand a public apology from DAP for spreading fake news that not only misrepresented historical events but also led to widespread concern and fear within the community. 'Moreover, we insist on a formal undertaking from DAP to never again publish or allow such false or misleading content,' said Yong in a joint media statement by Stephan and Asraf on Wednesday.
