KOTA KINABALU: Jontih Enggihon, the former chief executive officer of a state-owned mineral company, is being quizzed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in connection with alleged bribery videos involving a businessman and state assemblymen.
Jontih is believed to have been called in for his statement to be recorded after he alleged abuse of power involving Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in a video that was posted online.
When contacted, Sabah MACC chief Datuk Karunanithy Subbaih confirmed that a former chief executive officer was called in.
"I can confirm he was called in for his statement to be recorded," Karunanithy said but declined further comment.
The investigation was triggered by a businessman who claimed he had videos that implicated several Sabah assemblymen.
The Sabah government as well as Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) Sdn Bhd had lodged police reports against Jontih after his purportedly "tell all" video from a businessman who provided the videos seeking whistleblower protection from the MACC.
It is understood that Jontih was called in to give his statement at the Sabah MACC headquarters here at 2.30pm on Tuesday (Nov 19) and was asked to return for further statements to be recorded on Wednesday (Nov 20).
Since the reports were lodged, five Sabah assemblymen including a deputy chief minister and an assistant minister gave their statements over the weekend.
It is understood that the former chief executive has also lodged a report against the Chief Minister following the state government reports.
Jontih told a news portal that he was not working with the whistleblower but claimed that he had proof including minutes of the board of directors meeting as well as WhatsApp messages that reflected abuse of power in mining licence issuance.
SMM subsequently lodged a report against Jontih for making decisions that were in conflict with the interests of the state and its mining company.
