Sabah CM to review state leaders' positions in govt after bribery charges

Summary

• Two Sabah leaders’ positions in the state government might be in jeopardy following their corruption indictment this morning.

• Sabah CM says his administration will consider their positions carefully in due course.

• Hajiji says the GRS state government is committed to ensuring integrity in its administration.

The Sabah state administration will review the positions held by two state leaders following their corruption indictment this morning.

This is according to a statement by the office of Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, hours after state assistant minister Andi Suryady Bandi and Sindumin representative Yusof Yacob were slapped with bribery charges at the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court.

"On their positions in the government, the chief minister said he would consider this carefully in due course after all relevant information and reports have been received.

"Hajiji (above) said the GRS state government is committed to ensuring integrity in the administration and management of the government," it said.

Earlier today, it was reported that Andi, who is the state industrial development and entrepreneurship assistant minister, was accused of receiving RM150,000 in cash from businessperson Tei Jiann Cheing - also known as Albert Tei - in exchange for facilitating a prospecting licence application for Syarikat Sinaran Hayat Sdn Bhd.

The Tanjung Batu state assemblyperson allegedly committed the offence on May 12, 2023, at his residence in Jalan Pantai Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu.

Yusof, who is also Qhazanah Sabah chairperson, was charged with receiving RM200,000 in cash from Tei at the Hilton Hotel’s rooftop bar in Kota Kinabalu on March 6, 2023. The bribe was allegedly meant to help process a prospecting licence for Syarikat Nusa Kini Sdn Bhd.

Tei, a businessperson from Selangor and the whistleblower in the case, was also charged with two counts of offering bribes to the assemblypersons.

Adding further, Hajiji said the state government would respect the legal process against the two leaders and leave the matter to the court.

"We respect the law, and we will let the legal process take its course.

"The GRS state government will not interfere in any investigation and legal action on any of its government leaders," Hajiji said.

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