Decide fate of Sabah 'mining scandal' six before dissolution, AGC told

The Attorney-General’s Chambers has been urged to decide swiftly on whether to charge the six remaining assemblypersons implicated in the Sabah mining scandal before the fast-approaching state election.

As the state legislative assembly will automatically dissolve on Nov 11, Sabah Umno strategic communications director Datu Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman stressed that clarity is crucial before voters head to the ballot box.

“The investigation and prosecution of the eight assemblypersons and one state assembly speaker from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) implicated in the bribery video scandal exposed since November last year must be concluded before the 17th Sabah state election is held.

“The people of Sabah have the right to know the full truth about the case so they can make wise and rational choices in deciding which leaders and parties are more honest, capable, and trustworthy to lead the new state government,” he said in a statement.

Rosman (above) was responding to MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, who disclosed that while two of the eight - Andy Suryandy Bandy and Yusof Yacob - have been charged, the remaining six are still awaiting a decision from the prosecutor.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously dismissed the evidence against the six assemblypersons as mere hearsay - a remark that drew sharp criticism from businessperson Albert Tei, the whistleblower who exposed the scandal.

Tei shot down Anwar’s claim that only videos were handed to the MACC, stressing that he had submitted a dossier exceeding 300 pages.

“Not just videos, but money trails, bank records, documents, written correspondences, and specific locations. Every detail was painstakingly compiled, cross-verified, and handed to the authorities.

“I also surrendered my mobile phone, which contained WhatsApp conversations with the assemblypersons, to the MACC,” he added.

The implicated assemblypersons from GRS, which is the ruling coalition and an ally of Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan, include Deputy Chief Minister Shahelmey Yahya, state finance minister Masidi Manjun, state science, technology, and innovation minister Arifin Arif, who is also Sabah governor Musa Aman’s son-in-law, and state legislative assembly speaker Kadzim Yahya.

The others are Masiung Banah (Kuamut) and Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk).

In June, another six top leaders from GRS were implicated in the scandal. However, the MACC has not commented on this revelation despite opposition parties in Sabah calling for an investigation.

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