KOTA KINABALU: Those involved in an alleged mining bribery scandal must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, says Sabah Bersatu's Armada (youth wing) chief.
Muhammad Affan Jumahat said the claim by a whistleblower of graft involving several state assemblymen has sent shockwaves throughout the country.
Affan, who is also a Bersatu supreme council member, said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must leave no stone unturned in its probe.
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"The people have the right to know the truth," he said in a statement on Friday (Nov 15).
"No one is above the law, especially when it comes to matters of responsibility and integrity.
"If the investigations proved the claim to (have merit), then I urge strict action to be taken against those involved, without any compromise," he added.
He said the people will question the government's seriousness in fighting graft and hoped every leader would take responsibility for their actions.
A Sabah MACC source confirmed on Wednesday (Nov 13) that a state officer had lodged a report alleging abuse of power the previous day, but declined to give details.
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The report was made after former Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) chief executive officer Jontih Enggihon, in a report with a news portal, accused Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor of abusing his power.
Earlier, a businessman claimed he had eight secret video recordings of corrupt acts involving senior Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government leaders.
The MACC report is believed to be linked to the alleged relationship between the former officer and the businessman, who is now seeking whistleblower protection status.
On Tuesday (Nov 12), Hajiji told reporters he had nothing to hide in response to the allegations by the unnamed businessman.
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The Chief Minister, however, asked graft busters to probe the businessman whom he accused of having malicious intent.
The crux of the case revolves around the state government’s approval of prospecting and mining licences to the company linked to the businessman.
It subsequently withdrew the licences, triggering a conflict between the businessman and the state.
The businessman, who has yet to formally lodge an MACC report, claimed he took secret recordings demanding his money back from certain leaders or their alleged proxies, according to sources in the know.
