Boosting anti-graft efforts: Azam (second from right) with Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir (second from left) witnessing the exchanging of Memorandum of Cooperation signed between Sabah MACC director Datuk Karunanithy Subbiah (right) and Kota Kinabalu City Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Samitah Sabin.
KOTA KINABALU: The anti-corruption body will review the so-called “full and unedited version” of secret videos allegedly showing Sabah leaders and assemblymen accepting bribes in exchange for mineral prospecting licences.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the review aims to verify the credibility and authenticity of the videos as part of their ongoing investigation.
“I stand by my previous statements, as I have said before. Since last year, and as recently as Dec 9, 2024, I have maintained that we require strong and genuine evidence.
“Today, former MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya issued a statement claiming that a whistleblower had shared video evidence with her, which she asserts is authentic.
“We have called the relevant lawyer to our office today to submit this video evidence for further investigation. In addition, we will summon the whistleblower tomorrow (today), as mentioned by Latheefa, to provide his statement and assist in the investigation,” he said yesterday.
Azam clarified that the whistleblower had previously been summoned and questioned by the MACC, but his identity had never been disclosed.
“Perhaps now his lawyer has allowed his identity to be revealed. For the record, the whistleblower had already been questioned in another case by both the MACC and the police.
“Again, our role is to investigate, but it is the deputy public prosecutor who determines guilt,” he said.
When asked whether the whistleblower would be granted protection, Azam said: “Whistleblower protection only applies if the person has not committed or been involved in any crime. At this stage, he is not protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.”
Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between MACC and Kota Kinabalu City Hall, Azam gave his assurance that the investigation would be conducted fairly and professionally, regardless of anyone’s background.
He also clarified that the case remains open and that edited videos cannot be used as evidence.
“We refer such matters to our legal officers at MACC and other qualified legal experts. Our investigations are guided by the law, not public perception,” he said.
Azam added that MACC is also investigating the latest video implicating Sabah State Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M. Yahya, who was allegedly paid RM350,000 in connection with the same scandal. We will investigate the video, but it must be authentic. He has not come to the MACC office.
“We need to first analyse the evidence to determine its validity. If we find it credible, we will proceed with the investigation,” he said.
When asked if Kadzim would be cleared of wrongdoing if he were to return the money, Azam said Sabah authorities were handling the matter and that no conclusions could be drawn at this stage.
Meanwhile, Kadzim has denied claims of his involvement in the said scandal.
“I don’t know about the RM350,000. My response was regarding the RM50,000 I borrowed (from him),” he said when contacted yesterday.
Kadzim declined to comment further, saying that he planned to lodge a police report over the bribery allegation.
