MACC waiting for forensic analysis of Sabah videos, vows no cover-up

Summary

• Anti-graft agency calls for all to be patient as it is also waiting on forensic analysis of videos in the Sabah corruption scandal.

• MACC chief says allegations like these can’t be covered up and emphasises that the probe is ongoing.

MACC is waiting for the forensic analysis report into the Sabah scandal videos which were submitted on March 11, said its chief commissioner Azam Baki.

He also emphasised that the corruption allegations involving the assemblypersons are not something that can be covered up, and the investigation is ongoing.

“As I’ve mentioned before, two investigation papers have been opened – one on Albert (the whistleblower) and one on the former CEO of Sabah Mineral Management (Jontih Enggihon). These involve the eight assemblypersons and the videos.

“So everyone needs to understand – I’ve clarified this many times, and I hope everyone will be patient.

“In our investigations, we are not fully guided by public opinion. We follow standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he was quoted by Berita Harian as telling SabahFM radio.

On the videos, Azam said he is unsure of their length, and that they could be longer than the versions published by Malaysiakini.

“I am waiting for the results of that analysis…

“However, as I’ve stated before, even though the report’s results are still pending, we have already called in everyone involved and shown them the videos for identification.

“But I cannot disclose the outcomes of the investigation yet,” he added.

‘Many frame breaks in edited videos’

Azam also reiterated that the videos published by Malaysiakini since last November cannot be used because they were edited.

He said when the videos were first released, the commission sent them to the MACC forensics lab, which is certified by the Standards Department and staffed with experts.

He stated that based on the analysis, the report concluded that the videos were not authentic and had undergone significant editing.

“The forensic lab officers informed us that there were many frame breaks in the videos, indicating editing had occurred,” he said.

“As we conduct our investigation, we have to consider this matter. Therefore, the videos cannot be used as evidence, as no verification can be made, and we can’t determine who is telling the truth – whether it’s Albert or the assemblypersons,” he added.

WhatsApp evidence

Apart from the recordings, the whistleblower had also revealed a trove of WhatsApp messages on his alleged conversations with the assemblypersons.

Albert had accused the assemblypersons of accepting bribes from him in exchange for mineral exploration licences.

Last month, former MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya said Lawyers for Liberty, which she co-founded, would submit the original videos to the commission.

This came in the wake of the whistleblower releasing another video and screenshots of WhatsApp messages, implicating Sabah assembly speaker Kadzim Yahya.

Following this, Albert was summoned for questioning for two days, with the second session on March 13 lasting 11 hours.

The 36-year-old businessperson’s lawyer Mahajoth Singh said: “He (Albert) rendered full cooperation throughout the process. Ample evidence was provided, resulting in an almost 50-page statement.”

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