UPDATED 5.40PM | Added Masiung’s response to the video.

EXCLUSIVE | VIDEOS INSIDE | The whistleblower has released seven full recordings of his discussions with different assemblypersons. He alleged that the sums involved were bribes given to the politicians to support his application for a mineral exploration licence.

In this third part, there are three videos. Malaysiakini has contacted all those implicated and the chief minister’s office. This article also contains copies of documents furnished by the whistleblower.

Video 5

‘RM400k cash ma’

This is the full recording of Deputy Chief Minister II Shahelmey Yahya, who is also the state works minister.

On Nov 15, the whistleblower revealed a shorter version in which the Tanjung Keramat assemblyperson alluded that Chief Minister Hajiji Noor was aware of the quantum of kickbacks each elected representative under him received.

In this full version, the whistleblower and the deputy chief minister discussed a sum of RM400,000.

“When we signed this agreement, he (the investor) gave me RM480,000. I am not lying, everything is in black and white,” said the whistleblower, referring to documents in his hand.

“Look at this, the first payment is RM480,000. It is (from) this that I gave Datuk RM400,000,” he added, and Shahelmey replied: “Hmm.”

“It was RM400,000 in cash 'ma',” he said and the minister, who was seen nodding, replied: “Ya lah (yes).”

“I gave Datuk cash…,” he added.

“That RM400,000 was in cash,” said the businessperson and the minister, who was seen nodding, replied: “Ya lah (yes).”

Video 6

‘RM360k small amount, can return now’

This is the full recording of Tempasuk assemblyperson Mohd Arsad Bistari, who had claimed that the clip of him released on Nov 14 was “maliciously edited”.

Arsad also claimed that he chatted in a “sarcastic and informal” manner because he suspected the whistleblower had ulterior motives.

In the previous clip, Arsad, who is the chairperson of Softwoods Sabah Bhd, a firm involved in large-scale commercial tree replanting, lamented that a project linked to him worth RM70 million was “disekat (blocked)”.

He also pointed the finger at the state finance minister Masidi Manjun, whom he claimed was part of the “old team”.

In the full recording, the whistleblower asked for a “gentleman’s agreement” that if the licence does not go through, the assemblyperson would have to return the “RM360,000” in stages but if it is given the green light, the sum would be “topped up”.

The assemblyperson replied: “That is a small amount. RM360,000, I can give it back to you even today.”

Earlier, when the whistleblower said that assemblypersons did not support Hajiji during the political crisis expecting nothing in return, Arsad interjected, saying: “I supported for free… I did not ask for anything.”

When the whistleblower mentioned that the “(mineral exploration) licence is considered a gift”, the assemblyperson replied: “Yes, it is a gift. But it is minuted, the (Sabah Mineral Management) board approved… It passed the three steps (for approval).”

The whistleblower then claimed that after obtaining the “gift”, which is termed as “quota”, the assemblypersons, who are clueless about mineral mining, looked for people like him for money.

“I know Andi (industrial development and entrepreneurship assistant minister Andi Muhammad Suryadi Bandy), Andi brought Shahelmey (deputy chief minister), brought Datuk (Arsad), brought everyone. Because they know there is a quota, correct?” he asked.

“Yes, correct,” replied Arsad.

Video 7

‘If I have RM400k, I will give it back’

This is a recording of Kuamut assemblyperson Masiung Banah, the state Housing and Urban Development Board chairperson.

The discussion between the whistleblower and him was purportedly recorded at the assemblyperson’s residence in Kota Kinabalu on Jan 3, 2024.

The recording begins with the whistleblower asking how Masiung intends to return the RM400,000 given to him, to which the latter replied: “Tengok lah (We will see).”

“If I have it (the money), I will give it back. Because I don’t have it (right now),” he added.

The whistleblower then prods the assemblyperson on claims that the “mineral exploration licences” were given as “gifts” to the assemblypersons who supported Hajiji during the 2023 political crisis.

The whistleblower then offered an alternative, saying: “If Datuk don’t have the money to pay back. How can we (proceed)... change the company? Or don’t use my name?”

“Change the company, we try,” the assemblyperson responded. “Change the company, then my people will handle it. You remain on the outside..."

“I have to agree, that is mine,” he added. The whistleblower claimed this referred to a mineral exploration licence given to the assemblyperson in exchange for his support.

Again, the conversation shifted to Hajiji purportedly giving “gifts” to those who supported him with the whistleblower stating: “What more, you were an independent who joined his party (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah). You made a huge sacrifice.”

Masiung replied: “Yes.”

Stressing that he is a “gentleman”, the whistleblower said: “I am only asking for the RM400,000 I gave you. Whatever I ‘sponsored’ no need (to pay back). Don’t misunderstand.”

Contacted for comments, Masiung today said, "I just watched the video, a friend sent it to me. No comment.

"Let the authorities carry out their investigations and I will give my full cooperation," he told Malaysiakini in a text message.

Documents

Below are copies of purported application letters to the chief minister from eight different companies to apply for coal or gold mining exploration. The letters were dated between December 2022 and June 2023.

All the application letters contained the chief minister’s written notes to indicate that he has no objection, is supportive or asking the Sabah Mineral Management to proceed further.

The Chief Minister’s Office also sent the official letters to the then SMM chief executive officer Jontih Enggihon along with the application letters for his attention and to take further action.

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