Sabah scandal: MACC still waiting for forensics report, calls for patience

Summary

• MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki says the forensics team is still scrutinising the videos related to the Sabah corruption scandal submitted on March 11.

• He requests all quarters to be patient and refrain from making speculations.

MACC is still waiting for the forensic report on the videos related to the Sabah corruption scandal, which were submitted to the commission on March 11, said chief commissioner Azam Baki.

“I expect the report to be completed soon because the forensic team is currently conducting a detailed examination of all 10 recordings.

“As I mentioned during a press conference in Sabah a few weeks ago, eight individuals have been called in to give their statements, including one new case involving allegations that are also being investigated,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

Azam requested all quarters to be patient and refrain from making any speculation.

‘Guided by SOPs, not public opinion’

Previously, the chief commissioner 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 said on April 10.

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

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

‘Ample evidence provided’

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 more screenshots of WhatsApp messages, this time 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.”

Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has claimed that the videos are part of a campaign to taint his administration.

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

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