FT PAS backs rally over Sabah scandal, paints Albert as noble Chinese

Federal Territories PAS has urged Malaysians nationwide to attend an anti-graft rally scheduled outside the MACC headquarters this Friday, in solidarity with Sabah corruption scandal whistleblower Albert Tei.

The party especially called upon Sabahans residing in Peninsular Malaysia to participate in the upcoming “Catch the Sharks” rally, following the graftbusters’ inaction over state leaders who have yet to be charged in the Sabah mining corruption scandal.

“The people must rise up to send a clear message to the authorities that we reject double standards in investigations, and that we oppose dirty politics in the implementation of the law,” they said in a statement published on Facebook last night.

The Islamist party chapter further commended Tei’s efforts, stressing how the fight against corruption was an important form of “jihad”, involving the struggle to uphold trust, dignity, and social justice.

“Tei, a Malaysian of Chinese descent, has demonstrated significant courage and integrity by being willing to disregard his personal safety to expose corrupt practices and abuse of power in the government.

“His courage is a symbol of moral and humanitarian responsibility that should be an example to all citizens regardless of race or religion,” they added.

Federal Territories PAS also urged all “VVIPs” in the Sabah corruption scandal to be arrested and brought to justice without favouritism, in upholding the rule of law and the integrity of Malaysia’s judicial institutions.

Catch the ‘sharks’

Pro-Perikatan Nasional activist Syarul Ema Rena Abu Samah, also known as Ratu Naga, announced the Friday rally over allegations that only “small fish” have been charged since the exposés, while the remaining “sharks” in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) stay free.

Tei also backed the protest, saying he too will be in attendance, further urging the government to arrest and charge the remaining “sharks” involved in the scandal.

Following a series of video exposés since last November, more than a dozen politicians - including senior state cabinet members - have been linked to the mining scandal.

However, only three individuals have been charged thus far, namely Tei, state assistant minister Andi Suryady Bandy (Tanjung Batu) and Yusof Yacob (Sindumin).

Tei was charged with offering bribes to the assemblypersons, while the two were charged with accepting the bribes.

Critics have since alleged a possible cover-up and highlighted the government’s “double standards” on MACC’s inaction over other higher-ranking Sabah leaders also implicated in the scandal.

Tei has also claimed that certain parties are making efforts to oppress and burden him so that he halts his demands for justice, including being denied entry into the state by Sabah immigration authorities.

Latest scandalous clip

In the scandal’s latest development, a video released on Nov 8 has further implicated Star deputy president Robert Tawik, depicting a conversation between Tei and Tawik in the latter’s office, with the duo discussing an amount of money which the businessperson claimed to have handed to the politician.

Based on the clip, Tawik also supposedly mentioned several other politicians, including fellow Star deputy president Ellron Angin, caretaker Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor, and caretaker Sabah works minister Shahelmey Yahya.

This latest video has surfaced less than a month before the upcoming Sabah state election, scheduled for Nov 29.

Previously, Tawik was one of the politicians implicated by a source, later revealed to be Tei, who furnished Malaysiakini with screenshots purportedly taken from video recordings involving a total of six accused leaders.

At the time, Malaysiakini was also shown brief excerpts of the recordings from January 2024, but was not allowed to reproduce them.

The source claimed that the total amount of bribes involved for the six politicians was RM3.96 million.

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