Businessperson Albert Tei, whose explosive mining scandal allegations shook Sabah, is disappointed and sad by MACC chief Azam Baki’s revelation that the Attorney-General’s Chambers still has not decided whether to charge the remaining six assemblypersons implicated.
Vowing not to relent, he further alleged that his evidence is being weaponised as political bargaining chips as the state heads into the election.
“I want to remind all parties involved, especially political leaders in power today: do not attempt to use my disclosures and reports as bargaining chips or blackmail material in your political negotiations and interests in Sabah.
“If the MACC and the attorney-general allow themselves to be exploited by certain government leaders to serve their greed, I will take the necessary legal action as well as extraordinary follow-up measures, to bring this scandal to the global stage.
“I only seek justice for myself, and I will fight anyone who tries to obstruct or intends to bury this case,” he said in a statement to Malaysiakini.
Tei said after the scandal was highlighted by Malaysiakini last November, he was summoned to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya for seven days to record his statement.
“The most difficult day for me was on March 13 this year, when I was questioned from 10am until 9pm - 11 hours straight - accompanied by my lawyer, Mahajoth Singh.
“I submitted numerous spy-camera video recordings, nearly 300 pages of evidence, including money trails, bank records, various documents, written correspondence, dates and locations of incidents to the MACC.
“I also surrendered my mobile phone containing WhatsApp conversations with all eight assemblypersons and the speaker to the MACC,” he added.
‘Stronger evidence’
According to Tei, he presented “even stronger evidence” to the MACC to support and confirm the elements of alleged corruption involving the remaining six compared to the two - Andi Suryady Bandy and Yusof Yacob - who were charged.
The six are Deputy Chief Minister II Shahelmey Yahya, State Finance Minister Masidi Manjun, State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Arifin Arif, Kuamut assemblyperson Masiung Banah, Kemabong assemblyperson Rubin Balang, and Tempasuk assemblyperson Arsad Bistari.
Tei further presented a video recording and WhatsApp screenshots, which implicated state assembly speaker Kadzim Yahya.
All those implicated belong to the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, an ally of Pakatan Harapan.
“I would like to ask the attorney-general and prosecutors handling this case: this corruption scandal was exposed nearly a year ago. The MACC began investigations in December last year.
“What are the investigation results and the prosecution’s recommendations? Why has the prosecutor still failed to charge the remaining six assemblypersons and the speaker in court?
“How much longer must we wait? Instead, I, the whistleblower who exposed the biggest corruption scandal in Sabah’s history, have been charged in court through a flawed process that contradicts standard prosecutorial practice.
“All the facts, evidence, and modus operandi involving the remaining six assemblypersons and the speaker are the same. Is it because they are under the umbrella of the unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that they are untouchable, immune from legal action?” he asked.
Tei, who himself was charged over allegations that assemblypersons accepted bribes in exchange for mineral exploration licences, denounced Azam’s statement as nonsensical, saying it reflected a law enforcement system that is damaged and broken.
In June, another six top leaders from GRS were implicated in the scandal. However, the MACC has not commented on this revelation despite opposition parties in Sabah calling for an investigation. - Mkini
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