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Police quiz Mkini editor over Sabah scandal, laptop seized
Anand's laptop was also seized to facilitate investigations.
The police recorded a statement from Malaysiakini executive editor RK Anand in relation to the Sabah mining scandal this afternoon.
Anand's laptop was also seized to facilitate investigations.
This is over a police report filed in Sabah by Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president Jeffrey Kittingan who was one of the politicians implicated in the scandal.
The statement was recorded at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters.
Responding to the seizure of Anand’s laptop, Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) highlighted that in the current media landscape, most journalists perform their duties using personal devices.
As such, it argued in a statement today that any seizure of such devices could result in not only a loss of assets, but also disruptions to daily work.
It added that with the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council, it is hoped that any disputes involving media ethics can first be referred to the council without negating the police’s authority to investigate received reports.
Allegations of payments and permits
In September, businessperson Albert Tei claimed that he had given Jeffrey RM1.78 million in bribes.
Tei also revealed a support letter Jeffrey purportedly wrote for a sand mining licence application in Balambangan Island.
He also released a set of documents which allegedly showed that the Star president had applied for a 30-year “occupation permit” to obtain a quarry licence covering 80ha within the Pulau Banggi forest reserve.
The veteran Sabah politician denied any wrongdoing, saying the funds received were for political donations.
The MACC had questioned Jeffrey in September, but there have been no developments since.
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MACC said that they questioned Jeffrey in September. Whether they really questioned him or not is questionable, because there has been no development since. Maybe they called him to their office and cracked a joke or two over a cuppa cha and nasi lemak. Ever since the revelation that Azam Baki legitimised the 1MDB plunder as political donations from caring Arab donors, every action, and inaction, by MACC has been rendered wide open to reasonable questioning by the public. And yet the authorities keep telling us not to speculate! Same old story here again. Same plot. Same intimidation by the enforcement authorities. Investigative journalists brutally questioned, laptops and other recording devices seized. Public safety and public service thrown to the winds in an arrogant display of power. But the authorities probably didn't reckon on one thing - growing public awareness. A day of reckoning. That day of reckoning may be sooner than they think or expect.
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