GRS slams Sabah PKR for jumping the gun on mining scandal claims

Summary

• GRS criticises Sabah PKR for reacting prematurely to claims by the media in the state’s alleged mining scandal.

• Deputy secretary-general Armizan Ali stresses GRS’ commitment to due process and the presumption of innocence.

• A Sabah PKR leader had earlier expressed shock over leaked videos implicating six politicians linked to GRS parties.

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has taken aim at its partner Sabah PKR over the latter’s reaction to fresh allegations in the state’s corruption scandal, accusing the party of jumping the gun and disrespecting due process.

GRS deputy secretary-general Armizan Ali highlighted that the coalition has consistently opted against drawing comparisons or making speculative statements as it believes in allowing legal processes to take their course.

“Even when we were pushed to the wall, we (GRS) refrained from drawing comparisons, choosing instead to let the legal process proceed,” Daily Express quoted the Papar MP as saying today.

Emphasising GRS’ respect for the innocent until proven guilty doctrine, Armizan (above) chastised a Sabah PKR leader’s recent remarks over “unconfirmed allegations” in the state’s mining scandal, which allegedly implicated several state assemblypersons.

“(The comments were made) to the extent that they (Sabah PKR) are ready for any eventuality,” lamented Armizan, who is also the domestic trade and cost of living minister.

He was responding to Sabah PKR chairperson Mustapha Sakmud expressing shock over a Malaysiakini report on videos and other evidence implicating six more politicians in the mining scandal.

Shocking evidence

A source provided 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.

Mustapha reportedly said that Sabah PKR was “taken aback” by the claims, adding that the party is assessing the political impact of the scandal.

“This incident could potentially shift the landscape of political manoeuvring in Sabah. PKR is ready for any possibility,” Borneo Post quoted him as saying.

He also called on all party branches to stay alert to ongoing developments and “possible repercussions”.

Fierce pushback

Those implicated in Malaysiakini’s report include the top leaders of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), both key components of the ruling GRS state government.

Among them were Star president Jeffrey Kitingan and his two deputies, Ellron Alfred Angin and Robert Tawik; PBS acting president Joachim Gunsalam, his predecessor Maximus Ongkili, and deputy president Jahid Jahim.

On June 30, Jahid denied the allegations and stressed he did not receive funds related to mining licences.

Yesterday, Kitingan blamed a “hidden hand” aiming to destabilise the state government as the source of allegations linking him to the corruption scandal.

Earlier today, Gunsalam hit back at those who levelled corruption allegations against him, calling it grossly irresponsible.

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