Warisan bores into 'mineral scandal', demands names of licensees

Sabah opposition leader Mohd Shafie Apdal has called for transparency and clarification concerning the alleged corruption scandal involving assemblypersons in the issuance of mineral exploration licences.

The former chief minister said this is important to prevent negative perceptions.

“We understand there is an investigation, but we don’t want it to prolong to a point where the public is in the dark about the issue concerning minerals and the issuance of licence.

“Who are those given the licences? I am asking for clarification… I have also raised it in the house (Sabah legislative assembly)…” he said.

Shafie, who is Warisan president, pointed out that the video Malaysiakini had released implicated assemblypersons from the ruling Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and not the opposition.

“I don’t see any denials or explanations so that those at the grassroots level can understand (the issue),” he added.

Sabahans deserve to know

Warisan’s Merotai assemblyperson Sarifudin Hata called on Chief Minister Hajiji Noor to disclose the companies involved, the locations of their operations and who authorised the deals.

“Sabahans deserve to know the details of who approved these deals, where they’re operating, and how they benefit the state. 

“If we continue to be like this (not managing Sabah’s minerals better) then I think that Sabah will forever stay like this (underdeveloped),” he told the house, according to Daily Express.

He also demanded urgent reforms in Sabah’s resource management and for the state government to adopt a transparent approach to safeguard Sabah’s mineral wealth for the people.

Previously, Warisan’s Darell Leiking called on the government to reveal the identities of those given prospecting licences.

The only cure for the disease of corruption is transparency, the Moyog assemblyperson told the state assembly.

“What I suggest to the government is this - if they want to make things clear and there’s really nothing to hide, reveal all the companies that have been awarded this prospecting licence so that we know who they are.

“These are the assets of Sabah and this is the future of Sabah, and we are letting people manage our assets with so many dubious happenings behind the scenes,” he added.

Last week, Malaysiakini published four videos from a whistleblower who claimed to have bribed assemblypersons to back his application for a mineral exploration licence.

The first video featured former Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) chief executive officer Jontih Enggihon accusing the chief minister, who is also the leader of GRS, of abusing his powers.

Hajiji is the chairperson of SMM.

The videos revealed by the whistleblower, who is seeking legal immunity in exchange for assisting investigations, also contained discussions about the chief minister giving “gifts” related to mining licences to assemblypersons who supported him during a political crisis last year.

The whistleblower has eight videos, screenshots of WhatsApp messages, and other documents. Malaysiakini has sighted all the videos and alleged evidence.

Certain quarters like former law minister Zaid Ibrahim have argued that both Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Perikatan Nasional are in a conundrum because GRS is considered a valuable political asset.

Hajiji has claimed that the videos are aimed at weakening the state government and fingers have been pointed at Sabah Umno chairperson Bung Moktar Radin, who has denied involvement in the matter.

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