Cops deny asking complainants to delete hidden camera social media post

KOTA KINABALU - The Kota Kinabalu police have denied the allegation that a Chinese national was asked to delete a social media post regarding a hidden camera case at a homestay, here.

The police instead confirmed that a report was received and an investigation was being carried out under Section 509 of the Penal Code.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said the police have received and examined a post that went viral on social media about a Chinese couple who discovered a small hidden camera at a homestay, here.

He confirmed that the police received a report from the complainants on Sept 7 at 5.27pm.

"An investigation paper has been opened and initial investigations have been conducted at the location, including the seizure of related items as well as efforts to identify the suspect.

"The police deny having asked the complainant to delete the post they made on their social media," he said in a statement today.

Mohd Zaidi said those with information about the case can report it directly to the Kota Kinabalu District Police Headquarters (IPD) Criminal Investigation Division chief immediately.

"Reports can be lodged directly to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Khairul Shah Peri at 011-2669 1994," he said.

Earlier, a post about a Chinese couple who discovered a camera hidden in a socket in their homestay room went viral on social media.

In the post, the couple said they had checked out the next day and also lodged a police report the same day.

They claimed that the accommodation's agent had accused them of intentionally avoiding paying for their stay.

In the post, they also alleged that the police had instructed them to delete the post and they deleted it.

However, after returning to their country, the content was being posted again to warn others of the incident.