MACC to charge two Sabah reps, civilian over mining licence scandal

Summary

• MACC set to haul two Sabah assemblypersons and one civilian to court over a corruption scandal.

• Arrests and court scheduling are underway, with the MACC confirming suspects are being called in for questioning.

• UPDATED 1.15PM | One assemblyperson spotted at Sabah MACC headquarters, believed to be providing statement.

MACC will charge two Sabah assemblypersons and a civilian in court soon, believed to be linked to the mineral mining licence corruption scandal that has rocked the state since an exposé last year.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki has confirmed that the agency is in the process of arresting the suspects, Sinar Harian reported.

“I would like to state that there are two suspects from among the assemblypersons and one civilian in the process of being arrested, and we are informing them of their court dates.

“I won’t disclose the exact dates until the process is completed, but I am confident they will be charged in court this month,” he was quoted as saying by the Malay daily.

Azam also revealed that the individuals involved are in the process of having their statements recorded.

Yusof reportedly at Sabah MACC HQ

Sindumin assemblyperson Yusof Yacob was spotted at the Sabah MACC headquarters in Kota Kinabalu earlier this morning after he was supposedly summoned to provide a statement, the New Straits Times reported.

Quoting sources, Yusof is said to have arrived at the office in the Federal Government Administrative Complex at around 8.45am.

While Yusof is reportedly one of two assemblypersons summoned by the anti-graft agency today for their statements, the MACC has not disclosed their names.

Yesterday, MACC summoned the whistleblower, who exposed the mineral licence graft scandal, for the fourth time. His lawyer this morning informed that the graftbusters will continue questioning his client today.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Whistleblower Protection Act 2010: What does it cover?

Azam, when asked about the authenticity of video evidence related to the scandal, clarified that the investigation does not rely solely on video footage.

The clips allegedly implicate Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and several assemblypersons.

On June 6, Azam confirmed that MACC had completed its investigation paper and submitted it to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for review.

Alleged bribes for exploration licences

Since November last year, the whistleblower has released a series of video recordings and messages purportedly showing Sabah lawmakers, including the state assembly speaker, involved in corrupt dealings.

The whistleblower claimed he had paid bribes to obtain mineral exploration licences but decided to come forward after the licences were revoked.

READ MORE: Sabah videos Part 1: 'RM300k in bag' and 'RM500k in installments'

Sabah videos Part 2: 'RM450k used to settle debts', 'I can return RM500k'

In response, Hajiji accused the whistleblower of colluding with parties seeking to destabilise his administration.

The whistleblower, meanwhile, faced counter-allegations of attempting to monopolise the state’s mining sector through fraudulent means.

In the video allegedly featuring Yusof, the whistleblower reminded him of his promise to return RM500,000 in stages.

The recording also featured a discussion between the whistleblower and an individual called Fong - claimed to be Yusof’s proxy - where he acknowledged that Yusof had purportedly received RM500,000, with RM200,000 of it allegedly through Fong.

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