Sabah Umno has cited the Malay proverb “sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga (no matter how clever the squirrel leaps, it will eventually fall to the ground)” in the wake of a new video implicating state Deputy Chief Minister I Jeffrey Kitingan in the mining scandal.
According to Sabah Umno’s strategic communications director Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman, the proverb best describes the situation of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition.
“They may deny, they may put on an act, but the truth has already exploded into the public,” Rosman (above) added in a statement.
He claimed that the video featuring Kitingan had exposed GRS’ true colours, which had long been swept under the carpet.
“If previously the people only heard whispers, today the evidence is laid bare. What was exposed is not merely the weakness of one or two leaders, but the entire GRS…
“Even more shameful is the fact that what was traded was no small matter. Mining licences for Sabah’s natural resources - belonging to the people - were pawned off at the dining tables of luxury restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. This is no longer abuse of power; this is outright betrayal.
“When the state’s natural wealth becomes the bargaining chip to buy political loyalty, what is lost is not just land but the dignity of all Sabahans,” he added.
Rosman also criticised Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor’s silence on the matter when GRS “big names” have been implicated.
Hajiji has always maintained that the mining scandal is an attempt to destabilise his government and accused businessperson Albert Tei, who exposed the recordings of colluding with opposition forces.
Tei, who has been charged together with two assemblypersons, is also accused of attempting to monopolise the mining of minerals in the state and resorting to fraudulent means.
Earlier today, Malaysiakini published a video of Tei’s conversation with Kitingan, whom the businessperson alleged received bribes amounting to RM1.78 million.
More politicians implicated
In June, Malaysiakini reported that six more Sabah politicians were implicated after a source furnished screenshots purportedly taken from similar videos.
This included Kitingan, who is Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (Star) president, and his two deputies, Ellron Alfred Angin and Robert Tawik.
At the time, Kitingan dismissed the claims as “completely unfounded” and part of a political move to “destabilise, demonise and demolish” the Sabah government.
Also implicated were Parti Bersatu Sabah acting president Joachim Gunsalam, who also denied the allegation, his predecessor Maximus Ongkili, and deputy president Jahid Jahim.
Prior to this, Tei had released nine recordings, implicating assemblypersons and the state legislative assembly speaker, Kadzim Yahya, alleging bribes in exchange for mineral exploration licences. - Mkini
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