Sabah CM Hajiji at centre of looming bribery scandal

Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor is belived to be at the centre of a looming bribery scandal involving Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), the coalition he chairs and which has been at loggerheads with state Umno leaders, MalaysiaNow has learnt.

This followed a campaign unleashed through news reports and social media posts relating to a RM4 million bribery scandal involving state assemblymen, with claims on the existence of evidences in the form of video clips and screenshots of text messages showing them admitting to receiving bribes.

The evidences were allegedly in the possession of an anonymous whistleblower who claimed he would only reveal it in exchange for protection from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

MalaysiaNow contacted Hajiji and his aide, but has yet to get a response at press time.

Meanwhile, a senior MACC investigator told MalaysiaNow that the build-up to the case raised suspicions, adding that the anti-graft body could have easily launched an investigation into the allegations without having to identify the whistleblower.

"The whistleblower's concerns are irrelevant, what is more important is that he has the evidence and that alone is enough for MACC to launch an investigation immediately."

Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported that the whistleblower is seeking an assurance from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that he would be given protection.

"Our client has solid evidence, including screen captures of WhatsApp conversations with the YBs (assemblymen) involved, documents and HD (high definition)video clips in which the YBs admitted to receiving the bribes," said a letter from the whistleblower's lawyer to Anwar, as quoted by Malaysiakini.

"For your information, our client is prepared to be the complainant in this case, surrender the evidence and become a witness for MACC".

The same MACC source questioned chief commissioner Azam Baki's refusal to give a written guarantee to protect the whistleblower from prosecution or legal action in return for the information.

"Azam is already bound by the Whistleblowers Protection Act and there is no need to seek any further assurance.

"In normal circumstances, the evidence should have triggered an investigation and MACC would have arrested or questioned the politicians involved," the source added.

The GRS coalition led by Hajiji comprises eight political parties, including Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), of which he is the president.

GRS, which was originally made up of Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional, Parti Bersatu Sabah and several independent assemblymen, won the 2020 state elections held at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Just a month after the 2022 general election, in which Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional formed the federal government, Hajiji announced that he was leaving Sabah Bersatu, which was part of GRS, and instead said he and his party assemblymen would become direct members of the state coalition.

In January 2023, 13 Sabah Umno assemblymen revoked support for him, leaving him without a majority in the state assembly. Hajiji then announced he was taking over PGRS, bringing the party into GRS in order to remain in power.