Rosnah presenting a Christmas gift to one of the recipients.
PAPAR: Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin has slammed opposition parties in the state for politicizing the death of Norikoh Saliwa, a 16-year old girl found lifeless on the roadside in Kota Marudu last month.
She said exploiting the tragic death of an innocent girl to gain political mileage was just irresponsible.
The sad incident, she added, has been very painful and difficult, especially for the family of the victim and opposition leaders should be ashamed for taking advantage of their loss for personal gain.
“I appeal to everyone not to be an opportunist and turn this into a platform to promote their political agenda and support from the public, even if it will only hurt the victim’s family further.
“Do not take advantage of the situation but let the police do their job to investigate the case without prejudice,” she said to reporters.
Rosnah was met after presenting baskets of food to senior citizens, housewives and the poor from Kampung Marahang and Gana during a function organized by Papar Parliament Office on Tuesday in conjunction with the coming Christmas celebration.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has been aggressively campaigning on Norikoh’s death, blaming and urging the government to be responsible and ensure justice for the victim.
On Sunday, they organized separate rallies in Kota Marudu and Kota Kinabalu, urging to expedite investigation into the girl’s death, which has yet to be concluded.
Rosnah, who is also Papar member of parliament, said many discussions in social networks and blogs on the incident were also insensitive and disrespectful towards the feelings of Norikoh’s family.
“Continuously sensationalizing and politicizing the incident would not help solve the case but only further sadden the grieving family.
“I really think the action of the opposition parties and certain other quarters to capitalize on the incident is shameful and disgusting,” she said.
Norikoh, a student at SMP Likas who went back to spend the school holidays with her family, was found dead on the roadside by passers-by near Kota Marudu Town on Nov 25.