Clearer Photos Showing Ismail Sabri Eating Turtle Eggs Have Surfaced And He's Not Happy
Ismail Sabri has, on multiple occasions, denied eating the turtle eggs.
By Sadho Ram — 19 Nov 2015, 01:16 PM
Federal Minister Ismail Sabri is now a victim of his own lies over his repeated claims that he did not eat turtle eggs at a UMNO event
New photos clearly show a half-eaten, full boiled egg on the Rural and Regional Development Minister's dinner plate at a seafood restaurant in Sandakan together with Beluran UMNO Chief James Ratib.
Posted on the Walai Penyu Resort Libaran Facebook page by user Deadturtle Sabah, the photos, four in total, are a close-up shot of the Federal Minister together with UMNO Beluran Division Chief James Ratib and Beluran District Officer Suhaili Riman.
Danau Girang Field Centre, a research and training facility in Sabah, uploaded the photos on its FB page Wednesday night, writing:
"Looking at the four pictures below downloaded from Walai Penyu Resort Libaran FB page and shared by "Deadturtle Sabah". It seems that the turtle eggs were actually consumed by the same people who said they did not. Share widely!"
facebook.com
In his statement early this month, the Federal Minister had denied having eaten turtle eggs claiming these eggs have a high cholesterol content. Ismail Sabri said he only ate fish at the dinner.
Speaking to The Star Online, Ismail Sabri, who had earlier said he did not consume the eggs due to health issues, said: "The eggs were on the table, but that doesn't mean I ate any. As a guest, I was not involved in ordering the food. It was a pre-planned programme and the food was provided," he said, adding that, "This is akin to Hindus attending a Malay kenduri (banquet) where beef is served. Just because they are seated at the table, we cannot assume that they ate the beef."
In an immediate reaction to news first reported by Malaysiakini, the Rural and Regional Development Minister now says he would get lawyers to look into legal action against those sharing the photos
Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is incensed as more pictures depicting him eating turtle eggs have been published online. Commenting on the recent photographs, Ismail Sabri said he will take legal action against those circulating the pictures.
"I will get in touch with my lawyer to look into this," he told Malaysiakini.
malaysiakini.com
Meanwhile, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun said the additional photos would now be included in the scope of investigations by the state wildlife department
“The photos are new to me. I will forward them to the director of SWD to act upon based on the available evidence. They are just wrapping up the investigation of the case. The new photos widen the scope of their investigation,” Masidi told Malay Mail Online last night when contacted.
themalaymailonline.com