KOTA KINABALU: Another Sabah assemblyman has been detained on suspicion of soliciting and receiving bribes amounting to some RM150,000 over the issuance of a mining licence in the state.
According to a source from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the assemblyman, in his 40s, was detained after he turned up to give his statement at the state MACC office here yesterday.
“The suspect, who also serves as an assistant minister, is believed to have committed the offence between 2023 and 2024.
“Investigations revealed that he had allegedly requested and received bribes totalling around RM150,000 from an individual with the title ‘Datuk’, purportedly to assist in managing an application for a mining licence in Sabah,” the source said.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the case when contacted, saying it is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.
Azam said the assemblyman was released after his statement was recorded, adding that he was imposed with a bail of RM50,000 with one surety.
He also said the suspect will be charged in the near future.
Last Wednesday, a Sabah-owned investment arm company chairman, who is also an assemblyman, was questioned by the state MACC.
The other is a whistleblower previously linked to the circulation of videos related to the case.
It involved the solicitation and receipt of bribes amounting to about RM200,000 in relation to the processing of mineral licence applications. The alleged offences are believed to have occurred between 2023 and last year.
Both individuals have since been released on MACC bail and are expected to be charged at the end of the month.
