PBS deputy chief denies RM150k mining licence scandal allegations

Summary

• Senior Sabah minister and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president Jahid Jahim denies allegedly receiving RM150,000 for mining licence approvals.

• Jahid stated his ministry is not involved in processing mining licences and that none have been approved in his constituency.

• He claims Malaysiakini’s report is an attempt to create a false narrative and is seeking legal advice for further actions.

A senior Sabah minister accused of allegedly receiving RM150,000 for purported approvals of mining licences has denied the claim, which has implicated over a dozen elected representatives under Chief Minister Hajiji Noor’s administration.

Responding to a Malaysiakini report on June 28, Parti Bersatu Sabah deputy president Jahid Jahim, who is also Sabah rural development minister, denied the allegation by a source who implicated him and five other GRS lawmakers based on screenshots purportedly taken from video recordings.

“He (Jahid) stressed that he was not involved in any mining scandal as alleged and has never received any funds related to the approval or issuance of mining licences in Sabah, as his ministry is not involved in processing such licences.

“As the state assemblyperson for the Tamparuli constituency, he stated that there have been no exploration licences or any other mining-related licences approved and/or issued in his area,” said Jahid in a statement written in the third-person, posted on his Facebook page.

Previously, a source furnished Malaysiakini with screenshots purportedly taken from video recordings involving the implicated leaders.

Malaysiakini was also shown brief excerpts of the recordings but was not allowed to reproduce them.

“The total amount involved (for the six) is close to RM4 million - RM3.96 million to be exact,” the source claimed, speaking on condition of anonymity.

In addition to the video evidence, the source alleged that WhatsApp messages and other documents exist to corroborate the transactions.

‘False narratives of corruption’

Jahid today claimed that certain parties were engaging in reckless tactics by manipulating the media to create false narratives of corruption before any official investigations were conducted.

“The attempt by Malaysiakini to create this false narrative is a violation of the law, as it invites the public to make judgments before the proper legal process takes place,” he claimed.

Further, Jahid expressed support for Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president Jeffrey Kitingan, who yesterday similarly denied allegations that he received RM1.78 million in connection with the mining licence corruption scandal.

Jahid added he is also seeking legal advice on further actions to be taken following Malaysiakini’s report.

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