KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah state minister is among three people likely to be charged over a mining scandal that has been brewing for months.
One assemblyman has been questioned over the scandal along with a businessman, believed to be the whistleblower in the case, but attention has now shifted to the third person.
Sources familiar with the matter said the person is a serving minister in the state Cabinet led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He is expected to be called in for questioning next week.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has said that it is planning to charge three people by the end of June over the high-profile bribery case.
An assemblyman – Datuk Yusof Yacob, who also chairs Qhazanah Sabah Bhd – was called in for questioning at the MACC’s Kota Kinabalu office at 8.45am yesterday and left shortly after noon.
He later confirmed that he had given his statement and was released on bail.
A businessman, whose name was not disclosed, was also arrested in connection with the probe.
The businessman is believed to be the whistleblower who allegedly leaked a series of video clips implicating several political figures.
The videos, which surfaced last year, allegedly show senior politicians discussing monetary exchanges – some believed to involve millions of ringgit – for project access and political support.
Asked about the case, Hajiji said yesterday that those charged will have a chance to clear their names, adding that the state government remained stable.
In the videos, allegations have been levelled against eight assemblymen. They are Yusof, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, Datuk Masiung Banah, Datuk Rubin Balang, Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari and Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy.
Aside from Shahelmey and Andi, who are suspended Umno members, all are assemblymen aligned with the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition.
All eight assemblymen – along with State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M. Yahya – have been called in by the MACC to give statements from April 22.
With the state election around the corner, political observers believe the probe may impact public perceptions of GRS.
“If those implicated are found guilty, at least the coalition would have acted and can move forward cleanly.
“If they’re innocent, then they can still be candidates – but the issue would have been resolved,” said a political strategist.
