'Worry about livelihood, let authorities deal with graft'

INTERVIEW | Bersatu vice-president Ahmad Faizal Azumu has urged the public not to give too much attention to the ongoing scandal involving Sabah assemblypersons, who have been accused of taking bribes.

Instead, he stressed that there are more pressing issues that people should focus on, including working towards improving their quality of life and future.

“We do not even know who the people featured in the videos are. So why should we think so much about this issue? It’s better if we focus on, let’s say, how to put nutritious food on the table for our family and how to ensure our children get a good education.

“All these issues on our minds, we do not even know (what they are really about). Some might claim they know this and that but they too are in the dark. They also got information based on hearsay.

“So, let’s not channel our energy to things that won’t bring us any good,” Faizal said during an interview with Malaysiakini on Tuesday.

Indicating that he is not interested in talking much about the issue, Faizal said it is better to leave the scandal to the authorities to investigate.

He believed law enforcement agencies like MACC are well equipped to look into the allegations and take action should they be found to be true.

“But if the claims are proven to be false, then the authorities should clear the reputation of those who have been wrongfully accused.”

‘Hundreds of thousands’

On Saturday, Malaysiakini reported about recordings of assemblypersons purportedly discussing hundreds of thousands in bribes given to them in exchange for supporting a project.

This included those holding senior positions in the particular state administration. It was later revealed that those involved were representatives from Sabah.

In the recordings, which were in the possession of a whistleblower, a businessperson is heard asking the politicians to return the bribes after the project was cancelled.

The whistleblower was reportedly trying to secure protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.

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