MACC report lodged against ex-senior officer of Sabah mining company

 

It is understood the MACC report is about the officer having allegedly abused his power by colluding with a broker to secure mining licences.

PETALING JAYA: 

A report has been lodged with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against the former senior officer of a state mining company in Sabah who is alleged to have abused his power.

The allegations are centred around his long-standing relationship with a broker from Peninsular Malaysia dating back to when the former senior officer worked at the minerals and geoscience department, says a source.

It is understood the broker has long acted as an intermediary in various states to help mineral exploration companies obtain prospecting licences through corrupt means.

The source said that the collusion between this officer and the broker drew the attention of Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor, who decided not to renew the officer’s contract, leaving him “deeply disappointed”.

“The termination of his contract also allowed for an investigation which found violations of good governance and abuse of power,” said the source.

“To protect themselves, the former senior officer and the broker used intimidation tactics such as video recordings that were planned from the outset.

“They have collaborated with certain political parties to advance their agenda, and they have also tried to shield themselves by seeking protection under whistleblower legislation by acting as informants with the aim of protecting their crimes.”

The source said that Hajiji had refused to accede to such attempts at extortion, which reportedly started several months ago.

Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported that a whistleblower had released a video featuring the former senior officer accusing Hajiji of abusing his powers.

In the video, the former senior officer claimed that the decisions made in relation to the state government-owned mining firm, of which Hajiji is the chairman, were “very politically driven”.

Previously, it was reported that the whistleblower provided Malaysiakini with eight videos showing discussions between a businessman and assemblymen about bribes for a project licence.

Senior MACC officers have met the whistleblower’s lawyer, who played a 17-second audio clip for the officers in which several people were heard having a conversation about money.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki was quoted as saying the lawyer indicated that his client was ready to provide them with evidence, but wanted an agreement that the client would not be investigated.

However, Azam said MACC cannot provide written guarantees of immunity without detailed information about the alleged improper conduct.

He said the whistleblower had been told to file an official complaint so that he could be granted protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.

In a Harian Metro report today, Hajiji said he had nothing to hide in the alleged case of assemblymen from the state discussing bribes for a project licence.

Hajiji asked the MACC to probe the case and said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led state government will assist in the MACC’s investigation.

“Those who offer bribes have malicious intentions to obtain something from the government. When they fail to obtain it, then this kind of things surface,” he said. - FMT