Don't view charges against Sabah reps with political lens - Masidi

Summary

• PGRS deputy president Masidi Manjun says charges against state assemblypersons should not be viewed politically and that the legal process must be respected.

• He dismisses speculation that the mining licence case could destabilise Sabah’s ruling coalition.

• Masidi previously denied corruption allegations linked to the GRS administration regarding mineral exploration licences.

Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) deputy president Masidi Manjun today said that the prosecution of two state assemblypersons linked to the mining licences scandal should not be viewed through a political lens.

According to The Star, the Sabah finance minister, who had also been implicated in the corruption case, stressed that upholding the rule of law and the presumption of innocence must precede any perceived political ramifications.

“We respect the legal process. Charges brought forward by the MACC do not mean the individuals are guilty.

“They must be given the opportunity to clear their names in court,” Masidi reportedly said today.

Speaking at the Gagasan Rakyat Annual Conference for the Petagas division, he dismissed speculation that the case could destabilise the state’s ruling coalition.

“Whether there are political consequences or not is not important. What is happening now is a manifestation of due legal process, and that must be respected by all,” he said.

Masidi was among Sabah lawmakers purportedly seen in a series of videos released by a whistleblower who exposed alleged corruption linked to the GRS administration.

PGRS is a member party of the GRS coalition, which rules Sabah.

Last December, Masidi denied the whistleblower’s allegation that a large sum of money was offered as a bribe to support the latter’s application for a mineral exploration licence.

The whistleblower, who is also expected to face charges, subsequently submitted recordings, a handphone, and 300 pages of documents to the MACC.

Last week, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said only two assemblypersons would be charged on June 30, while the deputy public prosecutor would decide on the others later.

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