Arrest the remaining 13 implicated in Sabah scandal, Albert dares Anwar

Challenging Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to demonstrate his commitment to combating corruption, businessperson Albert Tei today urged the former to take action on the politicians implicated in the Sabah mining scandal.

Tei (above, right) also questioned the credibility of Anwar’s reform agenda, pointing out that despite many exposés, only two out of 15 politicians implicated were charged in court so far.

Several of those named, he said, continue to hold senior positions in the Sabah government, including deputy chief minister and other senior ministerial posts.

“The public perceives that the firmness and reforms repeatedly proclaimed by the prime minister are merely an act, producing no real results or benefits for our country.

“If Anwar is truly determined to fight corruption, then arrest and prosecute the remaining lawmakers implicated in the mineral exploration licence scandal, who are currently holding positions as deputy chief ministers and senior ministers,” he said in a statement.

Tei also trained his guns on MACC, accusing the body of applying double standards in its investigations.

He claimed that despite having submitted numerous evidence, including alleged money trails, WhatsApp communications, official correspondence, and video recordings, enforcement remains lacklustre.

Following MACC investigations, former assistant minister Andi Suryady Bandy, Sindumin lawmaker Yusof Yacob, and Tei were charged in court in June last year.

For the record, others implicated in the scandal are Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister I Joachim Gunsalam, Deputy Chief Minister II Masidi Manjun; Rural Development Minister Rubin Balang; and Local Government and Housing Minister Arifin Arif - who is also the son-in-law of Sabah Governor Musa Aman.

Also implicated in the scandal are former deputy chief minister III Shahelmey Yahya; Tempasuk assemblyperson Arsad Bistari; Kuamut assemblyperson Masiung Banah; and state legislative assembly speaker Kadzim Yahya.

Several leaders of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) were also named by Tei - including its president Jeffrey Kitingan and his two deputies, Ellron Alfred Angin and Robert Tawik, as well as the party’s former president Maximus Ongkili and former deputy president Jahid Jahim.

‘Injustice, double standards’

Taking Anwar to task, Tei said Anwar’s reformasi slogan had effectively turned into “reformati” after three years in power.

“Are these injustices and double standards truly the principle of the Madani government, so loudly championed by Anwar in his commitment to institutional reform and the uncompromising fight against corruption and abuse of power?

“I have waited for 14 months. How much longer must I wait?

“As a member of the younger generation, I urge Anwar to demonstrate sincerity and honesty in implementing the reforms he has fought for over the decades. Today’s youth are deeply disappointed with the prime minister’s actions,” he lamented.

PM cautions enforcement agencies

Yesterday, Anwar reiterated a cautionary reminder for enforcement authorities not to overstep boundaries in the process of executing their duties, amid heightened grievances over alleged misconduct.

This comes after the conduct of several enforcement agencies came under public scrutiny, including the raid conducted on Tei’s home on Nov 28, where the latter alleged that MACC officers had pointed a gun towards him and his family members.

However, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki denied the claims, insisting that the arrest was carried out in accordance with procedure.

Last month, Tei was also charged with giving bribes to Anwar’s former senior political aide, Shamsul Iskandar Akin. The latter was charged with receiving bribes from the businessperson.

Both were charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Dec 4, and in the Shah Alam Sessions Court on Dec 5.

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