Sabah Umno has launched a blistering attack on Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Shahelmey Yahya.
This is after he claimed he refused to join the “Kinabalu Move” - the failed bid to unseat Hajiji Noor as Sabah chief minister two years ago - because he did not want to betray the people’s mandate.
Highlighting that Shahelmey (above) was among those linked to the mining scandal, Sabah Umno strategic communications director Datu Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman questioned when he would face charges.
“Shahelmey is attempting to manipulate facts and take credit as though he is a trustworthy person defending the people’s mandate.
“However, everything he has said is a lie. He is not defending the people’s mandate; he is only defending his greed and wealth,” he charged.
Datu Rosman also cited a video released by businessperson Albert Tei, in which Shahelmey allegedly acknowledged that mining exploration licences were handed out to several assemblypersons as “gifts” in exchange for their support for Hajiji during the Kinabalu Move.
The Tanjung Keramat assemblyperson and Putatan MP was one of eight caught on camera discussing alleged bribes given in exchange for mineral exploration licences. Shahelmey purportedly received RM400,000 of a promised RM1 million bribe.
Shahelmey was among six Umno assemblypersons who chose to back Hajiji’s administration amid the Kinabalu Move. He was subsequently appointed as deputy chief minister to replace Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin, who masterminded the move.
Shahelmey’s betrayal
Referring to the video, Datu Rosman accused Shahelmey of not only betraying Umno and BN, but also the people of Sabah.
“Shahelmey has been investigated by the MACC over the scandal, but only two individuals - Sindumin assemblyperson Yusof Yacob and Tanjung Batu assemblyperson Andi Suryady Bandi - have been charged for accepting bribes.
“What about Shahelmey, who was also implicated in receiving bribes?
“We urge MACC to conduct investigations fairly, transparently, and independently, and to expedite the process of prosecuting Shahelmey in court to ease the disappointment and dissatisfaction of the people of Sabah towards the government,” he added.
Datu Rosman said in the 2020 state election and the 15th general election in 2022, the people of Tanjung Keramat and Putatan supported Shahelmey under the Umno/BN banner.
“That trust as an Umno/BN candidate was personally given to him by Bung… If he truly has courage, let him prove his political bravery by returning the mandate to the people and contesting this time under the GRS banner,” he added.
In an interview with Free Malaysia Today yesterday, Shahelmey alleged that Bung had not consulted all Umno assemblypersons before launching the Kinabalu Move.
“I was never consulted about the plan, but my principle was clear: I would not betray the people’s mandate by helping to change the government,” he said. - Mkini
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