SANDAKAN: Elopura State Assemblyman Calvin Chong yesterday strongly condemned the irresponsible creation and circulation of a fake obituary falsely claiming his death.
He said the act not only defamed him but also inflicted severe emotional distress on his family, crossing all ethical boundaries in both social and political conduct.
The incident unfolded when his wife received numerous missed calls from her mother, who had seen the fake notice. Upon returning the call, his mother‑in‑law frantically asked if something terrible had happened, plunging the entire family into panic. Chong emphasised that such a hoax is no trivial matter, especially when elderly family members are subjected to sudden shock and anguish.
He revealed that the perpetrators not only used his name but also misappropriated the name of his colleague from Lahad Datu, Shen Zhi Guang, and fabricated condolence flower boards to mislead the public and sow confusion and division. This malicious act, he said, targeted not only him but also dragged innocent parties into the fray, eroding public trust and causing unnecessary emotional harm to both families involved.
While reaffirming that he is alive and well, Chong expressed gratitude to those who reached out for verification. He questioned whether those behind the hoax could accept the same treatment if it were directed at them or their loved ones. He stressed that political competition should be based on differing views, not on slander, libel, and false information, and described such underhanded tactics as utterly deplorable and unacceptable in a civilised society.
Chong made it clear that he reserves all rights to take legal action against those involved in producing and disseminating the fake images and information. He urged the public not to share unverified content and called for a collective rejection of fake news to foster a healthier, more responsible public communication environment. – James Leong
Chong said the act not only defamed him but also inflicted severe emotional distress on his family, crossing all ethical boundaries in both social and political conduct.
