EXCLUSIVE | The whistleblower in the Sabah corruption scandal has unveiled screenshots of WhatsApp messages along with details of the time and location of the transactions allegedly tied to a payment of RM450,000 to state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Assistant Minister Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy.
Andi is also the MP for Kalabakan and assemblyperson for Tanjung Batu.
According to the whistleblower, the RM450,000 is part of a promised alleged RM1 million bribe to the lawmaker.
Previously, Malaysiakini published a video showing Andi, in a discussion with the whistleblower regarding the amount.
The whistleblower claimed that several assemblypersons were allegedly bribed to secure mineral exploration licences approved by Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.
Under pressure
He further alleged that the funds were an advance from investors, provided specifically to facilitate the bribes necessary for obtaining mineral exploration licence approvals. The whistleblower would be responsible for returning the money to the investors if the licences were not secured.
The whistleblower alleged that two screenshots of WhatsApp messages purportedly related to Andi would prove that the investors exerted pressure on him.
On Tuesday, the whistleblower’s lawyer, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, announced that his client will release WhatsApp messages and other supporting “evidence” to refute claims that the funds were political donations.
The senior lawyer added that his client plans to file a report with the MACC and submit further evidence in his possession.
Below are the details of the alleged transactions involving Andi, and the WhatsApp screenshots.
Malaysiakini has redacted the last five digits of the assemblyperson’s mobile phone number, but it can confirm that the number is his.
Cash transactions
According to the whistleblower, on Jan 11, 2023, RM200,000 in cash was paid at around 8pm at Hokkaido Seafood Restaurant, Jalan Lumut, Titiwangsa Sentral, Kuala Lumpur.
On April 12, 2023, RM50,000 in cash was allegedly given at around 12pm at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
Exactly a month later, RM150,000 in cash was purportedly received on May 12, 2023, around 11pm in front of Andi’s house at Jalan Pantai Sembulan in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Tempasuk rep present
RM50,000 in cash was allegedly handed over on June 27, 2023, around 11.30am at the office of the chairperson of Sabah Softwoods Bhd, Wisma Innoprise, Kota Kinabalu.
The whistleblower claimed that Sabah Softwoods chairperson Mohd Arsad Bistari was present when the money was handed over. Arsad, who was also implicated in the scandal, is the Tempasuk assemblyperson.
Andi had purportedly requested a 10 percent "free" share in the company applying for the mineral exploration licence as compensation for his assistance.
Malaysiakini has contacted Andi for a response. - Mkini
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