Sabah Umno slams Hajiji as graft case reaches prosecution stage

Summary

• Sabah Umno criticises Chief Minister Hajiji Noor’s leadership, accusing him of allowing corruption to undermine state institutions.

• MACC is set to charge two assemblypersons over alleged corruption involving mineral exploration licences in Sabah.

• The whistleblower, Albert, was arrested and will also be charged.

Sabah Umno has stepped up its criticism of Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, accusing him of failing to govern the state effectively and allowing corruption scandals to tarnish government institutions.

Sabah Umno strategic communications director Datu Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman said the people of Sabah must be wise in evaluating the government’s performance, claiming that alleged corruption and abuse of power have cast a shadow over the state administration.

“The statement by the MACC chief commissioner is not surprising. Sabahans have long hoped this scandal will be prosecuted without regard for rank, position, or status,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

He stressed that Sabah’s natural resources should not be turned into “a breeding ground for projects and licences for personal enrichment”.

“I am confident that the people of Sabah not only wish to see those responsible brought to justice in court but also punished at the ballot box when the time comes,” he said.

Datu Rosman also swiped at the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, and its chairperson, Hajiji (above).

“Perhaps this is what the GRS chairperson meant when he said GRS must dominate Sabah’s politics - yes, a domination for cronies!” he said.

Reps and whistleblower charged soon

MACC is currently investigating allegations of corruption and abuse of power involving state-issued mineral exploration licences.

Yesterday, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said two Sabah assemblypersons and a civilian would be charged in connection with the scandal.

Later, the whistleblower, a 36-year-old businessperson identified as Albert, confirmed through his lawyer that he was arrested upon arriving at the MACC office and later released on RM10,000 bail.

His lawyer Mahajoth Singh said Albert is set to be charged on June 30, a move Mahajoth described as “shocking and disappointing”.

The whistleblower had submitted a trove of videos, documents, and WhatsApp message screenshots to the MACC, allegedly implicating several assemblypersons in a mining scandal.

The businessperson claimed he paid bribes to the assemblypersons in exchange for mineral exploration licences, but decided to come forward after the licences were revoked.

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

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