KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government must explain allegations that a state government-linked company’s deputy chief executive officer, suspected of misconduct, will be promoted and transferred rather than face prosecution.
Merotai assemblyman Sarifuddin Hata urged Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor also to explain reports that the deputy CEO was found guilty of misconduct on three projects in the company’s domestic inquiry.
“Is it true that after this person was found guilty, she would be transferred to another GLC and promoted?” the Parti Warisan member asked when debating the 2026 Budget at the State Legislative Assembly here, Monday (Dec 15).
He claimed that the said projects worth millions involving women committing alleged abuse of power and corruption were in Kunak and two in Kota Marudu.
“If this is true, I don’t think it is wise to transfer her and promote her. Could it be that there are some political pressures which led to this decision?” Sarifuddin asked.
He said such actions would normalise misconduct, including abuse of power and position as well as corrupt practices within an organisation.
“I hope the CM would take this matter seriously,” he said in reiterating for an explanation on this matter.
Earlier during his debate speech, Sarifuddin reminded the state government of its pledges to get stricter on misconduct and to uphold integrity within the government.
He said in the tabling of the 2026 Budget, it was also mentioned that funding for an integrity unit has been raised from the previous RM764,000 to RM 1.94mil for 2026, and this was good to improve integrity in the civil service.
On other issues, he suggested that a RM4.76mil fund meant for ‘media and information sharing’, which he claimed was a byword for cyber troopers, should be used for more pressing issues such as addressing the long-standing water, electricity and road problems in Sabah.
Sarifuddin said such an allocation could also be used to increase scholarships and educational development for those eligible.
“These are the people’s money, and it is are limited so it must be used properly and transparently for development and other more important things, rather than spent on political agendas,” he said.
