Forum organiser quizzed by cops

PIPPA plans to hold another forum soon and says the police’ questioning of them will not dampen their enthusiasm.

KOTA KINABALU: The Progressive Institute of Public Policy Analysis (PIPPA) which organised a forum, Malaysia at the Crossroads, in Labuan on Aug 24, and in Kota Kinabalu from Aug 27 to 29 was hauled up by the police on Wednesday for an explanation.

The forum had apparently been cleared earlier by the relevant authorities including the police.

Sabah Progress Party (Sapp) deputy president Amde Sidek, who represented PIPPA, said that he was no wiser after being questioned by the police.

Saying he did not know whether someone had lodged a police report against him or PIPPA, Amde explained, “I told the police that we held the forum because the topic is relevant. We had speakers from the academia and politicians who are experts.

“I don’t think we offended anybody since what was said was based on facts and figures.”

The forum, Amde stressed, was educational for the people as they discussed issues pertaining to Sabah’s Independence, Malaysia Day as well as local sentiments which had raised concerns.

Announcing that plans were already underway to hold another forum before the year end, Amde reiterated, “The police’ questioning will not dampen our enthusiasm,”

Former Sabah Secretary Simon Sipaun was also quizzed by police on Wednesday and whether others too were called in remains unconfirmed.

PIPPA is an NGO that organises forums, among other things, besides carrying out research.