Sabah Wildlife Department denies contacting Ismail Sabri in turtle egg probe

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 2 — The Sabah Wildlife Department refuted today a media report claiming that federal minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had not complied with its alleged request for a statement in investigations of an Umno dinner where turtle eggs were served.

Sabah Wildlife Department director William Baya said the department had never issued any statement to the press saying that the rural and regional development minister did not comply with their request, and that they have since sent a protest note to Sabah newspaper Daily Express over the report.

“It was DE who issued the statement without first consulting us for verification. We have actually sent email to DE protesting over the sensationalised issue,” said Baya in a statement, using the acronym for Daily Express.

Baya further said that they had not issued any letter to the federal minister due to “logistical issues”.

Daily Express reported recently that Ismail Sabri and Kuala Penyu assemblyman Limus Jury may face arrest if they did not cooperate with the Sabah Wildlife Department’s investigations. Limus had admitted to being at the dinner, but said he was not seated at the main table where the eggs were being served.

The report said it had “learnt that the two have been giving excuses such as that they are busy with other commitments.”

Ismail Sabri yesterday denied that he was contacted by the Sabah Wildlife Department, either by letter or phone call, and that his lawyers were drawing up papers to file a summons against the newspaper for the defamatory report.

Investigations into the dinner held last August in the east coast town of Sandakan started after photos of Ismail Sabri, Beluran Umno division chief Datuk James Ratib and other Umno leaders emerged in November, showing turtle eggs placed on the “Lazy Susan” in front of them.

Ismail Sabri denied consuming the eggs due to his high cholesterol level. Masidi also previously absolved the federal minister of blame, saying that he was only a guest at the event.

Investigations into the issue have yet to be completed.