Summary

  • A fake post circulating on social media with Malaysiakini’s logo claims former Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd CEO has admitted making false allegations in the Sabah scandal.

  • Jontih Enggihon’s lawyer calls it a “cheap, desperate and unethical” attempt to sway public opinion.

A fake social media post bearing Malaysiakini’s logo claiming that former Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) Sdn Bhd Jontih Enggihon has admitted making false allegations is making the rounds.

His lawyer Chin Tek Ming told Malaysiakini that his client, who is travelling, would file a police report on the matter when he returns to Kota Kinabalu.

“Those responsible should not resort to such cheap, desperate and unethical measures to confuse the public,” he said.

The fake post read: “Official Statement of ex-SMM CEO Jonith Enggihon. I am force (sic) to spread the fake news, my family life (sic) in danger.”

The post also contained an image of a false statement attributed to Jontih apologising to all those linked to the matter, including his “beloved wife, family and relatives”.

The statement claimed that he was forced to do this because he was told that his family would be in danger if he refused.

Corruption spotlight

Jontih landed in the spotlight after Malaysiakini published a video of him accusing Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor of abusing his powers with regard to the issuance of mining licences.

His video was one of those released by a businessperson who implicated several assemblypersons in an alleged corruption scandal.

On the same day Jontih’s video was published, a MACC report was filed against him.

He was accused of colluding with the whistleblower to commit fraud when he was still the CEO of SMM and Hajiji, who is the chairperson of the state-owned entity, had removed him from the position.

Jontih, who denied the allegation, is embroiled in a legal tussle with SMM.

On Jan 21, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the commission has completed its investigations into the report against Jontih and the businessperson.

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