Corruption affects livelihoods, Zaid berates Peja

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim fired a salvo at Bersatu vice-president Ahmad Faizal Azumu for urging the public to focus on their livelihoods instead of corruption cases.

“If we do not worry about corruption, there will be less food on the table, Peja (Faizal),” he said on Facebook today.

Yesterday, Faizal 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 said there are more pressing issues that people should focus on, including working to improve 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 are also in the dark. They also got information based on hearsay.

“So, let’s not channel our energy on things that won’t bring us any good,” the former youth and sports minister told Malaysiakini.

Alarming statement

Unimpressed, Zaid said Faizal’s statement was alarming and the opposition leader should instead be congratulating Malaysiakini and the whistleblower for taking risks to expose corruption.

“My goodness, this statement from an opposition leader is alarming.

“He said we should leave the matter to the body in charge to investigate.

“Yes, it would be a good idea if MACC showed much interest in investigating… and the ministers are not directing MACC who to investigate first,” the former Kota Bharu MP added.

However, Zaid said he understood why Faizal replied in that manner given that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which currently helms the Sabah administration, used to be allied with Bersatu.

“But it’s a wrong response for a national leader to ridicule the value of whistleblowers in dealing with corrupt politicians.

“It’s telling that Peja uses the word hearsay. Wonder why.”

READ MORE: Sabah reps' alleged corruption videos: What has happened so far

Yesterday, the whistleblower at the heart of a corruption scandal in Sabah released a new video, in which a state assemblyperson could be seen complaining about a project being blocked, allegedly by Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.

Malaysiakini understands the clip is an edited version of a longer recording of a discussion between the whistleblower and Tempasuk assemblyperson Mohd Arsad Bistari.

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