Anwar takes pot shots at Sabah leaders over corruption

Summary

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim mocks political elites in Sabah over corruption allegations.

• He says some use nationalistic slogans to score political brownie points but plunder public resources.

• The premier also warns that he will not forgive those who steal public funds but stresses he will respect due process.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has launched a blistering attack against corrupt political elites in Sabah, lacing his speech with sarcasm, widely seen as directed at the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah administration, now implicated in a mining scandal.

Anwar said while he could forgive insults, humiliation, and even imprisonment, he could not forgive the theft of public money.

“I was arrested, I was beaten, I was tortured in prison. I forgive. I was shamed, stripped of dignity. I forgive.

“But if you steal the people’s money, if you take billions belonging to the people - I cannot forgive,” he said when speaking at Dewan Pisompuruan in Kampung Kobuni, Inanam, before a 200-strong crowd.

Also present at the event was Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, who was among those implicated in the scandal.

Anwar noted that the MACC had also acted on “fresh news” of Sabah leaders facing allegations.

While the premier did not mention names, Anwar seemed to be alluding to Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I Jeffrey Kitingan, who was questioned by MACC yesterday over allegations he received RM1.78 million linked to a disputed mining licence.

“There was recent news. One of the Sabah leaders recently. There was news. Then the MACC immediately replied - Yes, we will investigate. That’s how we do it,” Anwar said with a wry smile.

Yesterday, MACC grilled Kitingan for five hours after businessperson Albert Tei alleged that RM1.78 million was paid to the Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president in connection with a cancelled mining exploration licence.

Tei claimed the sum was the largest payment made to any politician linked to the scandal, adding that the money was handed over during a meeting at a seafood restaurant in Kuala Lumpur in October 2024.

Kitingan had since denied the allegations, adding he could not “really recall” having a conversation with Tei over a sum of money as depicted in a clip published by Malaysiakini.

The Keningau MP said the conversation appeared to be about political donations “years ago before the election” and claimed they had nothing to do with the mining scandal that implicated a slew of Sabah assemblypersons recently.

‘Nationalistic speeches but…’

Anwar also mocked politicians who amassed riches while in office.

“How much have we already recovered? Billions of ringgit. Money stolen from the people.

“You become a minister, just a few years in office, and suddenly you have savings of one billion, two billion. Our task is to find a way to take that back,” he said.

The Tambun MP also ridiculed leaders who used nationalist slogans to promote themselves, while quietly enriching their families and cronies.

“There are leaders who have held onto power for so long, and what did they do? They plundered.

“They enriched their families and their cronies. They became arrogant. They speak about defending their people, but what really happened?

“Contracts and projects went to their own circle. Meanwhile, ordinary people struggled,” he said, adding that Sabah’s wealth had been diverted for private gain.

“Timber, land, everything was stolen. The wealth of Sabah was looted and shared among a few. This is why people remain poor, while those in power live in luxury,” he said.

Turning to the often-used slogan “Sabah for Sabahans”, Anwar argued that true protection of state rights required integrity, not rhetoric.

Respect for due process

On his anti-corruption drive, Anwar vowed to respect due process, warning against authoritarianism.

“I am not the investigator, I am not the judge. If the prime minister becomes the investigator, the punisher, the prison guard… that is not a prime minister, that is a dictator. We must follow the rules.”

Acknowledging his own roots outside the state, he pledged that Sabah would not be neglected.

“I am a son of Penang, not of Sabah. But I imagine what must be allocated for Sabah. In the history of Malaysia, this is what I am committed to,” he said.

He also warned against attempts to use race and religion to deflect from corruption.

“Don’t play with the fire of race, don’t play with the fire of religion. If we follow that path, this country will be destroyed.

“I go to churches, temples, and mosques - not for politics, but out of respect. We must unite as Malaysians, not be divided by religion or race,” he said.

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