Sabah Bersatu deputy chief Affan Jumahat has questioned the silence of Star and PBS regarding the alleged settlement offered to the whistleblower who exposed a purported corruption scandal involving the state’s ruling coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
“This episode has become more intense... Several political parties in Sabah, including Star and PBS, have also been implicated.
“Unfortunately, despite several days having passed, Malaysians have yet to hear any statement from them.
“What is Star and PBS’ level of involvement in this scandal? Their silence invites speculation that they, too, are part of this drama,” he said in a statement this evening.
Affan (above) was referring to a Malaysiakini article published last Monday, which quoted the businessperson as claiming that he was asked to retract his allegations in exchange for the reinstatement of the revoked mineral exploration licences linked to his consortium.
The whistleblower, who implicated Membakut assemblyperson Arifin Arif, claimed that he was given a pre-written statement instructing him to describe the alleged bribes as political donations and to state that similar funds were given to Sabah Umno, Star and PBS assemblypersons.
Key GRS components
Affan emphasised that the claim involving Star and PBS in the alleged settlement offer was a serious matter.
“This is because both parties are key components of the GRS government,” he added.
Previously, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin had cautioned GRS against dragging his party into the scandal.
Bersatu vice-president and the party’s state chief, Ronald Kiandee, raised the matter in the Dewan Rakyat on Feb 5, questioning whether different rules applied when investigating government members.
Arifin, who is a state minister and son-in-law of Sabah governor Musa Aman, has denied the allegation that he attempted to broker a settlement with the businessperson and has filed a police report against the Malaysiakini article.
Less than 24 hours later, the businessperson filed a police report against Arifin, insisting that he has evidence to back his claim and accusing the Membakut assemblyperson of lodging a false report.
Video and WhatsApp evidence
On Feb 5, senior lawyer Shafee Abdullah, who represents the businessperson, stated that his client possesses more than half a dozen unreleased videos and screenshots of WhatsApp conversations that have not yet been made public.
Malaysiakini cannot confirm whether these videos involve assemblypersons from Star and PBS. The eight videos released so far concern assemblypersons from Chief Minister Hajiji Noor’s party Gagasan Rakyat Sabah.
Hajiji, who was also implicated in the scandal, denied the corruption allegations against his state government, suggesting that the businessperson was colluding with individuals with vested interests seeking to topple his administration. - Mkini
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