PKR man warns of 'flawed' prosecutions if Sabah graft probe rushed

Summary

• Sabah PKR leader warns govt not to rush MACC probe in the ongoing Sabah corruption scandal as it may cause flaws in the case, ultimately letting any perpetrators walk free.

• Razeef Rakimin notes the release of BN-linked leaders and individuals who were prosecuted after the 2018 elections.

• He reiterates Madani govt’s firm stance against corruption, saying it will not be tolerated.

A Sabah PKR leader has warned that rushing the MACC to probe the bribery video scandal may cause flaws in the case, leading those implicated to be released.

Sabah PKR information chief Razeef Rakimin cited past cases against BN leaders, calling the allegations against them “reckless” which led to their cases being dropped.

“For example, in the prosecution of several BN leaders before this, the allegations against them were too reckless and seemed more politically motivated until MACC was seen as not having enough room…

“And finally, deficiencies in the prosecution due to lack of evidence led to the release of those who were implicated,” he said in a statement today.

Razeef’s statement comes amid plans by varsity students in Sabah to stage a protest which - among others - urges the MACC to expedite their probe into the allegations that multiple Sabah state assemblypersons, including Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, are involved in corruption involving a businessperson who wanted support for a mineral prospecting licence.

While the scandal in Sabah continues to unfold, the public was also rocked by two BN personalities getting off the hook over corruption allegations.

The prosecution had earlier this month withdrawn their appeal against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the VLN corruption case.

Meanwhile, the High Court allowed Rosmah Mansor’s bid to dismiss a money laundering and tax evasion case.

Both Zahid and Rosmah were prosecuted after the 2018 general election.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said last week that several cases from that time were rushed, flawed, and politically vindictive.

‘Madani govt firmly against corruption’

Meanwhile, Razeef said the issue of bribes in Sabah is not new, although the topic has become increasingly talked about in the past few months.

He admitted that it is difficult to stamp out corruption among civil servants and politicians, as the rot has taken root in previous administrations.

“But the difference that can be seen under the Madani government is we don’t compromise on individuals who commit corruption and abuse of power.

“Unlike the previous governments, today, all parties including politicians will be investigated and action taken,” Razeef added.

He then shifted the focus onto Sabah BN chairperson Bung Moktar Radin - whose corruption case was recently reinstated - calling for the case to be carried out appropriately based on existing evidence.

Meanwhile, he also alleged that leakages of up to RM1.5 billion purportedly occurred when Semporna MP Shafie Apdal served as rural and regional development minister from 2009-2015.

“The huge amount of leakages resulted in the dysfunction of many infrastructure projects.

“This includes road projects, electricity, and water supply, including the construction of a water plant worth RM45 million in Semporna which has become a ‘white elephant’,” Razeef alleged.

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