EXCLUSIVE | Businessperson Albert Tei, frustrated with what he perceives as the authorities’ inaction against politicians named in the Sabah mining scandal, has dropped another bombshell.
This time, Tei released a video recording of his conversation with Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president Jeffrey Kitingan, whom he alleged received the largest payout of all.
Tei told Malaysiakini that the sum purportedly given to the veteran politician, who is also the Keningau MP, was RM1.78 million - higher than the RM1.6 million figure mentioned in the clip.
The meeting, captured at a seafood restaurant in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 13, 2024, revolved around the cancellation of mining exploration licences. In it, Tei details alleged payments made to Kitingan (above).
Tei clarified to Malaysiakini that he had misspoken during his meeting with Kitingan, saying he had referred to “PRN” (state election) instead of “PRU” (general election). He stressed that the transactions took place during and after the 2022 general election, not the state election.
In the recording, he also claimed to have paid over RM500,000 to Kitingan’s deputy and Sook assemblyperson Ellron Alfred Angin, and another RM300,000 to Bingkor assemblyperson Robert Tawik, who is also a Star deputy president.
Tei confided in Kitingan that his partner company had already invested RM7.7 million into exploration works as of May 3, 2023, before the licences were cancelled.
“That RM1.6 million I gave in cash (to you), that is no problem. But what about the RM7 million? That is the big one,” he said.
Kitingan is heard replying: “Ya la (Yes).”
“Who is going to bear the RM7 million? If my partner sues me, I am dead. I have no money now because of this,” Tei pressed.
“Hmmm, ini mau ada timing juga (There needs to be a timing for this),” Kitingan responded before the clip ended.
Earlier in the clip, Tei said he had “supported” Ellron because of his position as Kitingan’s deputy.
“I gave him close to RM550,000 because he is your deputy (in the party)... He got one (mineral exploration licence), I gave him (the money). You can ask him. I gave Robert Tawik RM300,000... His licence has been cancelled,” he said.
A pensive Kitingan replied: “Kenapa begitu? (Why did it happen like that?).”
Funds for Kitingan
As for funds allegedly channelled to Kitingan, Tei recalled handing over RM400,000 before the polls - two payments of RM150,000 and another of RM100,000. He also reminded the Star chief of purported sums given during the general election.
“During the general election, I gave you RM500,000, after that RM200,000 and RM100,000. That is (total) RM800,000. Before the general election, October 2022, I still remember.
“After the general election, do you remember we got (censored) from Yayasan Sabah, which (Sabah Chief Minister) Hajiji (Noor) cancelled. I gave you RM400,000 for that. RM200,000 was through Rizal (Kitingan’s private secretary, Rizal Johari).
“I have given you RM1.6 million… That is fine, I am okay with you. I do not want to demand anything….” Tei said.
During the conversation, Kitingan neither confirmed nor denied the transactions mentioned.
Malaysiakini has contacted Kitingan, his aide, Ellron and Tawik for comment. The three Star leaders have previously denied any involvement in the scandal.
In June, Malaysiakini reported that six more Sabah politicians were implicated after a source furnished screenshots purportedly taken from similar videos.
At the time, Star information chief Anuar Ghani Gilong said Kitingan dismissed the claims as “completely unfounded” and part of a political move to “destabilise, demonise and demolish” the Sabah government.
“Kitingan emphasises that he has never, ever, received any funds related to the mining applications or any alleged scandal,” Anuar stressed.
Others named were Parti Bersatu Sabah acting president Joachim Gunsalam, who also denied the allegation, his predecessor Maximus Ongkili, and deputy president Jahid Jahim.
Other recordings
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.
He claimed the licences were granted as rewards for backing Hajiji during the political crisis known as the Kinabalu Move.
Tei himself, along with two assemblypersons, has been charged in the case. But the fate of the others remains unclear, with critics accusing the authorities of a cover-up.
All implicated assemblypersons are part of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition - an ally of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan.
- Mkini
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