Actor cries ‘Kidnap’, Esscom sees red
FMT Reporters | August 29, 2018
Esscom commander Hazani Ghazali believes 'fake' statement could have been made to create cheap publicity for actor's new movie next month.
The online version of the story by Harian Metro.
KOTA KINABALU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) is not happy with a Malaysian actor who claimed he and a co-star were almost kidnapped by pirates while filming in Sabah’s east coast Semporna district.
Harian Metro published the story yesterday quoting the actors with the headline “Lanun nak culik kami berdua!” (“Pirates wanted to kidnap the two of us”).
Esscom commander Hazani Ghazali said the statement by the actor Hairul Azreen, who was with a crew shooting the film “Paskal”, was baseless as there was no such incident as reported throughout the period of the shoot, which was under the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
Esscom commander Hazani Ghazali warns action can be taken against actor or anyone who makes ‘fake’ statements affecting security in Esszone.
“Throughout the filming, they (crew) were under the watch of a trained Paskal (naval special warfare forces) team and I do not believe there was any kidnapping attempt on them.
“The statement has caused a negative perception among the public on the level of security in the Esszone waters,” he said in a statement here today.
Hazani said Hairul’s statement might have been intended as a promotional gimmick for the film.
“Don’t use such a statement just for the sake of attracting cheap publicity to draw people to watch the movie, scheduled to be screened this September.
“According to our records, there were no kidnapping attempts or actual kidnappings for the whole of 2017 and 2018 so far,” he said.
He urged the public to be careful in issuing statements, especially when it comes to national security.
“Legal action can be taken for coming up with a fake statement and also for causing anxiety among the community, involving security and public peace in Esszone,” Hazani said.
As such, he called on the actor to come forward and lodge a proper police report if indeed such an attempt was made on him so that Esscom can take appropriate action.
