Warisan assemblyperson Calvin Chong questioned how Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I Jeffrey Kitingan had allegedly made an application for mining licences in a Class 1 forest reserve on behalf of a private company.
Describing the alleged move as “crossing the line”, Chong urged the authorities to probe both Kitingan and Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.
“How can a DCM apply on behalf of a private company? Is this now a government project or a personal venture? If it is private, why use the authority and resources of DCM’s office?
“Jeffrey has crossed the line by using the DCM’s office to advance a private company’s commercial interests.
“The lines between public duty and private interest are being erased, and we Sabahans are being treated as fools!” said the Elopura lawmaker in a statement today.
Earlier today, businessperson Albert Tei unveiled another document implicating Kitingan, who is also Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president.
This time, he alleged that Kitingan applied for a 30-year “occupation permit” to obtain a quarry licence covering 80ha within the Pulau Banggi forest reserve.
Tei claimed the alleged application was made through a letter dated Dec 6, 2022, issued by Kitingan’s ministry and personally signed by him, addressed to Hajiji.
“The area applied for in the Pulau Banggi forest reserve is classified as a Class 1 forest reserve, which is fully protected.
“Conservation and protection of its species and habitats are prioritised, with the aim of safeguarding biodiversity, primary forest, and its ecosystem from any disturbance or destructive activity,” Tei said.
Three questions
Calling the matter a sham, Chong posed three questions to Hajiji and Kitingan and urged them to provide answers.
He asked the duo to explain why the forest reserve is being treated as a disposable site for quarrying and why Kitingan allegedly acted as an intermediary for a private company.
The Warisan leader also asked why Hajiji was seen as giving legitimacy to such action.
“Everyone knows that a Class 1 forest reserve is legally meant to be preserved from destructive commercial exploitation.
“Our leaders sell out state resources for personal benefit or political gain under the guise of development.
“Sabah belongs to its people, not to a handful of powerful men who think they can treat our forests and resources as their personal playground,” he stressed.
Chong also mocked Kitingan over the matter as the latter often referred to himself as a “conservationist”.
“But what exactly is he conserving? The forest, or his own interest?” he asked.
MACC probe
Yesterday, MACC grilled Kitingan for five hours after Tei alleged that RM1.78 million was paid to the deputy chief minister in connection with a cancelled mining exploration licence.
Tei claimed the sum was the largest payment made to any politician linked to the scandal, adding that the money was handed over during a meeting at a seafood restaurant in Kuala Lumpur in October 2024.
Kitingan had since denied the allegations, adding he could not “really recall” having a conversation with Tei over a sum of money as depicted in a clip published by Malaysiakini.
Kitingan said the conversation appeared to be about political donations “years ago before the election” and claimed they had nothing to do with the mining scandal that implicated a slew of Sabah assemblypersons recently. - Mkini
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