Sabah minerals firm ex-CEO denies being ‘middleman’ in bribery case

 

Jontih Enggihon claimed the purported whistleblower met the assemblymen involved ‘on his own initiative’. (PKINK pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

A former CEO of Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM), Jontih Enggihon, has denied allegations of collusion with a purported whistleblower behind the videos alleging corruption involving several assemblymen.

On the allegation that he acted as a “middle person” between the whistleblower and the assemblymen, Jontih was quoted by Malaysiakini as saying “it’s a total lie”.

He also said he has evidence to back his claim that Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor had “abused his powers”.

The evidence, he said, included text messages from Hajiji, briefing notes to the chief minister, as well as meeting minutes from SMM’s board of directors.

“All the evidence is safely kept by someone, somewhere. I am willing to submit them to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC),” he said.

Jontih also claimed that the purported whistleblower met the assemblymen involved “on his own initiative”.

He denied ever meeting Sabah deputy chief minister Shahelmey Yahya personally, and said he had never talked to him face to face or over the phone.

He also said he had bumped into Tempasuk assemblyman Arsad Bistari and his friends on one occasion, but they never spoke about the whistleblower or his business activities.

Earlier, MACC confirmed receiving a report on a businessman suspected of being involved in corruption related to a mineral mining project in Sabah.

It said preliminary investigations have led to the discovery of information linking several assemblymen from the state to the businessman.

So far, five assemblymen have been summoned to provide their statements and the investigation is ongoing, it said.

Yesterday, MACC said it had recorded statements from Shahelmey, Kemabong assemblyman Rubin Balang and Arsad over the allegations of corruption involving the issuance of state mining licences.

Hajiji has since said he has nothing to hide and called on MACC to investigate the case.

Separately, Sindumin assemblyman Yusof Yacob today admitted that he was summoned by MACC to record his statement over the case.

“I have given my statement to the anti-graft agency and answered their questions. Now, let MACC do its job and I will give my full cooperation,” he was quoted by Berita Harian as saying. - FMT