'Tembak mati': Rep urges China-style execution for graft offenders

Summary

• Bugaya assemblyperson Jamil Hamzah tells the Sabah state assembly that the fear of death must be instilled to curb corruption, hence his call to ‘tembak mati’.

• The Warisan rep says he is certain that all the assemblypersons are also afraid of death.

A Sabah assemblyperson has suggested that Malaysia take a tougher stance on corruption by emulating China’s harsh approach, which includes executing those found guilty.

Warisan politician Jamil Hamzah proposed this amid an ongoing corruption scandal involving the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state administration.

"Perhaps we can learn from countries that have successfully tackled corruption. One example is China, where those involved in corruption are tembak mati (shot dead)," Jamil (above) said during a session at the state assembly yesterday.

"Everyone fears death. I believe all of us in this house share that fear. Who is not afraid of death?" added the Bugaya assemblyperson.

Jamil argued this has proven to be effective in curbing corruption in certain countries.

Since November last year, a businessperson has released a series of videos and screenshots of WhatsApp conversations implicating eight GRS assemblypersons, as well as the state legislative assembly speaker, Kadzim Yahya.

The businessperson, who claims to possess additional videos, alleged that he bribed the politicians in exchange for mineral exploration licences.

Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has accused the individual of colluding with certain parties to discredit his administration ahead of the upcoming state election.

The businessperson is also accused of being part of a cartel attempting to monopolise mining activities in the state.

‘Hajiji treating us like fools’

Yesterday, another Warisan lawmaker chided Hajiji after his question about the graft allegations was rejected during the assembly session.

“Hajiji is treating opposition assemblypersons as fools. The act of blocking such a question is very concerning as it touches on the integrity of the government and the public's confidence in the state administration.

“Questions involving integrity and public interest should be given space to be answered openly in this honourable assembly,” he said in a statement.

On April 10, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the commission is waiting for the forensic analysis report into the Sabah scandal videos which were submitted on March 11.

On March 13, the businessperson’s lawyer said his client had submitted ample evidence to the anti-graft agency, resulting in a 50-page statement.

Warisan rep demands answers from Hajiji, reminds him of 'more videos'

Sabah assembly says no to question on 'bribery' involving speaker, govt reps

Warisan calls for graft ombudsman, Sabah whistleblower protection law

Warisan says GRS rep's reply on graft scandal sounds like admission