VIDEO | 2.55 min

Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) president Paul Low said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who last month signed the organisation's election integrity pledge, should “nudge” Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud into addressing the alleged abuses in the Global Witness videos.

NONE "We believe that the right thing for him (Najib) is that he should actually ask for things to be made right, in accordance to the pledge," Low told a press conference at TI-M headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

However, Low ( right ) acknowledged that the premier may have limited options as it was a state matter and therefore urged Taib himself to also initiate remedial actions.

"He was named in the video... you have got to clear your name and the credibility of the state government.

"People can deny (allegations) or say whatever but the crux of it is that the civil society want something more positive and comprehensive to be taken," he said.

As such, Low said that the Sarawak government should initiate an external audit into land deals in Sarawak - on how the abuses occur and who has benefitted from it.

The video had alleged that Taib's family was involved in corrupt practices in the granting of logging concession from the state government and also tax evasion.

Taib has denied this, claiming that he was not on good terms with the first cousins implicated in the video.

‘Independent audit’

Low said the use of independent auditors to verify possible corruption was the same method used during the Port Klang Free Trade Zone scandal and it will also help the government to formulate administrative processes for better governance, transparency and integrity.

“The finding of the probe would be made public to enable remedial action and institutional reform to take place, not only in Sarawak but also in other state governments and at the federal level,” he said.

Specifically, Low said the audit should look into all past cases where govenrment officials and persons related to them have through proxies, nominees or corporate vehicles been given concession of state resources or land at massive undervalues without proper governance and transparency.

Asked what if the Sarawak government ignores such calls, Low replied: “There is no reason why they should not initiate this. If they don’t cooperate, then I think it is up to the people to form their opinion and make their judgments.”

“TI-M also urges the relevant authorities, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Royal Malaysian Police and the Inland Revenue Board to immediately, vigorously and thoroughly investigate the compelling evidence of the video, without fear, favour, or partiality,” he said.

Low said foreign governments, in this case Singapore, must also ensure that their banking and financial systems do not facilitate the flouting of laws or provide safe harbour for illicit funds.

‘Keep pledge signatories accountable’

When taking questions later, Low was grilled on TI-M’s election integrity pledge which the premier had signed last month in his and Taib's presence, but he defended it as an effort to advocate for integrity with whatever limited resources they have.

NONE “When they sign the pledge they are opening themselves up to public scrutiny,” he said.

And similarly if Taib were to sign the pledge, Low said the chief minister will need to stand before the public to sign the pledge and he has to “examine his convictions”.

“I know people are sceptical but we are doing our best so a better political culture can come about,” he said.

Meanwhile, TI-M secretary-general Josie Fernandez reiterated that Taib should step down while investigations are conducted into alleged corruption in the granting of logging concessions.

“This is to demonstrate the political will to not allow any form of political influence to hamper or impede the investigations. This is done in most democracies,” she said.

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