PETALING JAYA: A Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) should be established to independently investigate the Sabah mining corruption scandal, says MCA Youth deputy chief Mike Chong Yew Chuan.
Chong argued that an independent body, separate from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), is needed as the MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki himself is allegedly implicated in the case.
"As the Sabah mining corruption scandal unravels, the latest revelations by whistleblower Albert Tei raise even more alarming questions.
"It now appears that the MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki may himself be entangled in allegations linked to the Prime Minister’s former senior political secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar," Chong said in a statement.
He stressed that fundamental legal principles dictate that no individual implicated in a case can be involved in its investigation.
"Allowing the MACC to continue leading this investigation under such circumstances is legally indefensible and utterly unacceptable to the Malaysian public.
"Its neutrality, integrity, and credibility have already been severely compromised.
"Therefore, Azam Baki must immediately recuse himself, take leave, or resign. His continued presence has already cast serious doubt on the MACC’s independence," Chong added.
Chong warned that the government’s failure to act would enable a blatant conflict of interest, undermine the rule of law, and insult public intelligence.
On Nov 26, MACC announced it would investigate claims that businessman Albert Tei allegedly bribed Shamsul Iskandar.
Azam Baki said both Tei and Shamsul Iskandar will be summoned for statements, and other relevant parties would also be called to assist with the investigation.
Azam urged the public not to speculate and to allow the MACC space to conduct its probe.
Earlier, an MACC officer lodged a police report over a Facebook video clip allegedly containing accusations against the MACC chief commissioner.
The report was filed at the Putrajaya district police headquarters on Thursday (Nov 27), following claims made in the video involving a woman identified as Sofia Rini Buyong and businessman Albert Tei.
The officer who lodged the report stated that the video’s contents were malicious and intended to tarnish the reputation of the MACC chief commissioner, insisting that investigations are conducted transparently and are not influenced by any party.
