After four months of silence, Sabah reps press MACC on status of mining scandal probe

A group of Sabah elected representatives today questioned the silence of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) regarding the investigation into the Sabah mining scandal, which has implicated Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and other senior state leaders.

In a memorandum to the anti-corruption agency, which has recently been mired in multiple allegations involving its chief commissioner Azam Baki, eight assemblymen from Warisan warned against political influence after more than four months of silence since MACC issued a statement on the scandal last November.

"The silence and inaction of the MACC in recent months has drawn public criticism and sparked speculation that there may be political influence not to pursue the remaining alleged political figures," they said.

They questioned why only two individuals were charged despite a dossier of more than 300 pages of evidence, including videos, money trails, and bank records implicating six politicians in bribery in exchange for mining licences in the state.

"If the dossier contains evidence that had resulted in two persons being charged, one must question why the Attorney General Chambers (AGC) has not taken any action against the other four alleged persons as the evidence are identical in format.

"MACC must come clean and disclose fully the outcome of the investigation into the mining scandal to negate public perceptions that the enforcement agency favours selective prosecution," the statement added.

In December 2024, businessman Albert Tei released video clips implicating Hajiji and several assemblymen in accepting bribes in return for mineral exploration licences in the state.

The evidence was initially ignored by Azam, who claimed the videos were "edited" and therefore not credible enough to be admitted as evidence.

In response, Azam's predecessor Latheefa Koya said she had received the full version of the videos and challenged MACC to begin investigations without delay.

Azam later said that only "one or two" individuals would be charged.

In July, Tei was charged alongside Sabah assemblymen Yusof Yacob and Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy with the offence of receiving and giving bribes totalling RM350,000 in connection with mining permits.

Tei has accused MACC of selective prosecution, saying only the "small fries" were charged while other "sharks" identified in the videos remain at large.

In their memorandum today, the Warisan assemblymen said not only was there a delay in prosecuting those involved, but some of them were recently promoted to public office.

"This is utterly unacceptable and grossly unjust to the people of Sabah, as these appointments are often made with political considerations and not based on personal ethical standards. Public office demands honesty, integrity, and accountability," said the memorandum, jointly signed by Tanjung Aru assemblyman Junz Wong, Azhar Matussin (Darau), Jamil Hamzah (Bugaya), Tham Yun Fook (Likas), Edna Majimbun (Inanam), Loi Kok Liang (Api-Api), Samuel Wong (Luyang), and Chin Tek Ming (Kapayan).