Sabah scandal: MACC opens investigation paper on S'pore tycoon

Summary

• MACC has opened an investigation paper into a Singaporean tycoon allegedly linked to the Sabah mining corruption scandal.

• Chief commissioner Azam Baki ordered Sabah MACC to conduct a thorough investigation into claims that the tycoon financed whistleblower Albert Tei’s alleged bribes to Sabah politicians.

The MACC opened an investigation paper into a Singaporean tycoon believed to be linked to the Sabah mining corruption scandal.

The New Straits Times reported MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki saying he ordered Sabah MACC to carry out a thorough investigation into the case.

“We opened the investigation paper yesterday involving the Singaporean businessperson.

“I have directed Sabah MACC to conduct further investigations,” Azam (above) said.

He was speaking at a press conference after witnessing the handing over of duties between outgoing Kelantan MACC director Rosli Husain and newly appointed Azmin Yusuff, in Kota Bharu.

Azam yesterday said MACC is investigating the tycoon, who is allegedly linked to Albert Tei, the whistleblower in the Sabah corruption scandal.

The agency cited an article that reportedly painted the tycoon as the person who financed Tei’s alleged bribes to Sabah Umno leaders, saying it is seeking to verify this information.

Azam said the graftbusters will call witnesses soon to assist with the probe.

Since November, Tei has released a trove of videos, documents, and WhatsApp message screenshots to the MACC, allegedly implicating several assemblypersons in a mining scandal.

Azam said the Sabah corruption case is expected to involve a large number of witnesses, including new individuals who have not been called in earlier cases.

“There are too many witnesses.

“I can’t recall all of them, especially as each investigation paper involves different witnesses.

“The latest case involving the Singaporean tycoon will require fresh witnesses, and I believe many will be called,” he said.

He also reportedly said that the decision to charge more individuals lies with the deputy public prosecutor.

“There are others still under investigation, but I cannot make any decisions regarding charges. That is up to the prosecution,” he said.

The charges

On June 30, Tei was charged in court with bribing Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Assistant Minister Andi Suryady Bandy and Sindumin assemblyperson Yusof Yacob to get help with mineral prospecting licences.

Andi was charged with receiving RM150,000 in cash from Tei in exchange for facilitating a prospecting licence application for Syarikat Sinaran Hayat Sdn Bhd.

The alleged offence took place on May 12, 2023, in Andi’s residence at Jalan Pantai Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu.

Andi - who is also the Kalabakan MP - was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

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 charged with two counts of offering bribes to the assemblypersons under the same legal provision.

All three pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court judge Jason Juga.

The court granted bail of RM50,000 each to the assemblypersons, with RM10,000 to be deposited and local sureties required. Tei was granted bail of RM60,000 for both charges, with RM15,000 to be deposited and with the same local sureties requirement.

The court set Aug 5 for pre-trial case management.

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