KOTA KINABALU: A full investigation is now underway into a businessman’s “video bribery” claims implicating several assemblymen, which have rocked the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed yesterday that five assemblymen so far have been called in to give statements.
The assemblymen, including a state minister, were summoned over the weekend to be questioned about claims made in videos posted online by a news portal.
It was learnt that among those giving their statements were Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, state Industrial Development and Entrepreneur Development Assistant Minister Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandi, Sabah Economic Development Corporation chairman Datuk Rubin Balang, Sabah Softwoods chairman Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari and Qhazanah Sabah chairman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob.
The MACC announced that the investigation commenced following a report regarding a businessman believed to be implicated in the corruption allegations.
“Initial investigations led to information linking several Sabah state assemblymen who are suspected to be involved (in the graft claims).
“So far, we have recorded the statements of five assemblymen. Investigation is ongoing,” the statement said.
The claims made in the secretly recorded videos have prompted the filing of two reports.
One was by the Sabah government on Nov 12 against the former state-owned Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Jontih Enggihon, who accused Hajiji of abusing his power in granting prospecting and mining licences.
Another was lodged with the MACC in Putrajaya on Nov 14 by NGO Gerakan Kuasa Rakyat Malaysia president Datuk Zulkarnain Mahdar against the businessman.
Zulkarnain’s report states that the businessman should face an investigation for violating Section 25 of the MACC Act, which mandates that anyone who offers, promises or receives a bribe must report it.
The unidentified businessman, who is believed to be from Peninsular Malaysia, submitted an application for whistleblower protection with the MACC on Oct 30. He has not yet submitted a report to the MACC.
The videos, which have not yet been fully authenticated, displayed conversations between the businessman and an assemblyman discussing alleged bribes.
The conversations also implicated other senior state cabinet ministers.
The news portal highlighted Shahelmey, who is the Tanjung Keramat assemblyman and Putatan MP, Melalap assemblyman Rubin, and Tempasuk assemblyman Arsad in three videos.
Dr Yusof’s alleged conversation was spread on social media via an audio recording. He has denied it.
Shahelmey provided his statement to Sabah MACC on Saturday but declined to comment on the video.
Arsad, who also gave a statement to the MACC, told the media that his conversation with a whistleblower was done in jest and not in a serious context but was instead maliciously edited.
“I would like to clarify that my conversation in the maliciously edited and distributed recording was done in jest and not in a serious context,” said Arsad, who also dismissed all claims implicating some Cabinet members.
Hajiji, who has been fielding questions by the media since videos emerged last week, has called the allegations “lies” and accused his political opponents of attempting to undermine the GRS-Pakatan Harapan government.The MACC, in the meantime, called on all parties to allow space for a thorough and transparent investigation into the claims.
The videos are believed to be conversations between the businessman and assemblymen or their alleged proxies over purported bribes paid to help a company obtain prospecting and mineral licences.
The businessman, in his conversations with some of them, was asking for the return of the money after the licences issued were not renewed or cancelled.
Amid the allegations and the MACC investigations, most Sabah political parties are gearing up for an “early” state election that is only due next year.
