Sarawak chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, whose widely discussed alleged corruption is the subject of a probe by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, is "untouchable", said a former Sarawak state minister.
Quoted by The Star today, former deputy chief minister Dr George Chan Hong Nam said that Taib would still hold on to power in the face of accusations of corruption against him because the long-time CM had been delivering seats to Barisan Nasional.
"It is an undeniable fact that BN at the national level owes it to Taib that the BN is still able to retain power at the federal level after the 12th and 13th general elections," the paper quoted Chan, former leader of the Sarawak United People's Party, as saying.
Taib's alleged corruption and extraordinary wealth had been thrust into limelight after an investigative video entitled,'Inside Malaysia's Shadow State' exposed massive corruption involving his relatives.
Prior to that, Swiss-based NGO Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) revealed an audit report on Taib and his family, showing an estimated wealth at a staggering US$15 billion. The report among others claimed that Taib’s family had amassed the wealth alongside an empire of over 400 companies worldwide solely from his political and economic control of Sarawak over the past 30 years.
On April 4, Taib snapped back at a reporter's question on whether he would cooperate with MACC on the allegations, saying the commission was "naughty" and did not deserve his cooperation.
Last week, MACC said that it was forming a special task force to probe allegations against Taib.
But Chan predicted that Taib would remain in power against all odds.
"I think that no matter what the Opposition say about Taib, they will not be able to force him to step down," he said, adding that Taib has ensured stability as well as a "business-friendly" climate for investors in Sarawak.
- Harakahdaily
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