Alleged graft exposés aimed at discrediting GRS govt, MP claims

Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman claimed that the series of video exposés by Malaysiakini, linking several Sabah politicians in alleged corruption, was an act to discredit the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led state government.

Calling it a “trial by social media”, he also questioned the news agency’s role in the exposés, claiming Malaysiakini has yet to publish the state government’s side of the story.

“Instead of waiting for the MACC investigations to be revealed, it (Malaysiakini) keeps on releasing questionable video recordings done secretly, as if to undermine the MACC in collusion with the so-called whistleblower who is surprisingly afraid to lodge an official report.

“I strongly believe the allegations are politically motivated as the state election is due next year and there is no other way to shake the GRS-Pakatan Harapan coalition government,” Sarawak-based Daily Express reported him as saying yesterday.

The former Bersatu MP-turned-independent also said Malaysiakini risks legal action if the Sabah government is not given the opportunity to reply to the allegations levelled.

“We want MACC to be allowed room to do its job instead of conducting a trial by social media,” Suhaili added.

All parties given opportunity to respond

It should be noted that contrary to Suhaili’s claims, Malaysiakini has contacted the Chief Minister’s Office on the alleged corruption scandal.

Malaysiakini had also requested an interview with Hajiji Noor on the matter.

The assemblypersons implicated were also contacted for comment before the articles were published and their comments, if any, were included in the said articles.

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

For yesterday’s allegation by former Sabah Mineral Management chief executive officer Jontih Enggihon against the chief minister, Malaysiakini had informed the CM’s office three hours in advance about the article and requested comment.

Malaysiakini has also published the responses from the chief minister and others who have claimed that the videos are an attempt to weaken the state government.

Since Nov 9, a whistleblower has been exposing videos of state assemblypersons in Sabah, whom he claimed took bribes from him to support his application for a mining exploration licence.

He has vowed to surrender all the recordings, documents, banking details and screenshots of WhatsApp messages to the MACC if he is granted immunity and protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.

Legal hurdle

However, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki stressed the agency cannot provide any written guarantee of immunity.

“The Whistleblower Protection Act stipulates that the individual possessing information must first disclose the improper conduct, as defined by the law before the protection process can be initiated.

“MACC cannot provide any written guarantee of immunity, meaning that the individual will not be investigated or charged, without detailed information about the improper conduct.

“Therefore, it is premature for MACC to offer protection under the law to the individual (before a report is lodged),” he added.

On Nov 12, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also indicated that the whistleblower would not be guaranteed protection if he was the bribe giver.

He said the bribe giver should also be investigated.

“If there is vague information including whether the whistleblower is also involved in corruption, it must be reviewed and investigated, not give them protection immediately,” he was quoted as saying by Astro Awani.

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