Where were you since Nov 2024, Albert asks Sabah DAP Youth

Businessperson Albert Tei has criticised Sabah DAP Youth for remaining silent over the mining scandal he had exposed since November 2024, while now questioning the appointment of one of the implicated politicians, Yusof Yacob, as chairperson of Sabah Development Bhd.

“Where was DAP when the mineral exploration licence scandal was exposed with video recordings and various other evidence back in November 2024? Fourteen months have passed. Isn’t it rather late for you to speak up now?” he asked in a statement.

In December 2024, Tei, who had implicated more than a dozen politicians in the scandal, released a video recording of Yusof, who is the former Sindumin assemblyperson, and screenshots of WhatsApp messages in relation to the scandal.

On June 30 last year, Yusof - who previously chaired state investment arm Qhazanah Sabah Bhd - was charged with receiving RM200,000 in cash from Tei, who was also charged.

The bribe, which was allegedly meant to help process a prospecting licence for Syarikat Nusa Kini Sdn Bhd, was supposedly handed over at the Hilton Hotel’s rooftop bar in Kota Kinabalu on March 6, 2023.

Tei, in his statement, claimed that DAP had been ignoring the scandal involving the politicians from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), an ally of Pakatan Harapan.

He pointed out that Sabah DAP chief Phoong Jin Zhe was a member of the state cabinet but did not speak out on the matter.

“After you were punished by Sabah voters with an 8-0 result, you suddenly began speaking out. It is too late now,” he added in reference to DAP’s wipeout in last November’s state polls.

Drawing criticisms

Yesterday, Sabah DAP Youth chief Chan Loong Wei urged Chief Minister Hajiji Noor to reconsider appointing Yusof as head of the state government-linked company.

He warned that installing Yusof while he faces a corruption case could erode public confidence and cast doubt on the government’s commitment to transparency and good governance.

Yusof’s appointment also drew criticism from various other quarters, including Bersih and the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center).

Apart from Yusof, former state assistant minister Andi Suryady Bandy was also charged in connection with the mining scandal.

Previously, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had denied shielding the other GRS politicians from prosecution, saying the matter is still under review by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

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