A Sabah Umno leader today challenged Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Ali to come clean about two viral photographs that allegedly showed him meeting an Indonesian mining corporation in 2023.
This came after the Papar MP denied allegations that he was involved in an alleged corruption scandal involving mineral exploration projects in Sabah.
Sabah Umno elections director Jeffery Nor Mohamed claimed many Sabahans were wondering about the photographs.
"Armizan (above) has claimed that the photos and an article implicating him with the corruption scandal were just slanders and that he was ready to lodge a police report.
"Many Sabahans have since wondered whether it was really Armizan in the two photos that had gone viral (on social media).
"Thus, I hope that Armizan would care to explain whether he had visited the Bayan Resources company headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia during the said date, and what was the purpose of his meeting with the individuals (in the photos)," Jeffery said.
Bayan Resources is an Indonesian mining conglomerate that produces coal. According to the company website, it is engaged in open-cut mining of four main projects located in East and South Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Malaysiakini has reached out to Armizan and his aides for immediate comments.
Minister refutes allegations
Yesterday, Armizan refuted allegations in viral messages on social media that linked him to an alleged corruption scandal involving mineral exploration projects in Sabah.
Saying that he would lodge a police report against his accusers, the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) deputy secretary-general claimed that one of those spreading the messages had been identified as a former people's representative.
However, Armizan did not name the former elected representative.
A search on Facebook found several postings citing a "Datuk Z" claiming Armizan was involved in negotiations between an Indonesian firm and Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) over mineral exploration licences in the state.
The postings included photos of an alleged visit by SMM and Armizan to the Indonesian company’s office in Jakarta in May 2023. - Mkini
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