Whistleblower himself may be implicated in assemblymen bribery case, says source

 

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki previously said the anti-graft agency turned down the whistleblower’s request for immunity.

PETALING JAYA: 

The whistleblower seeking protection from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) may himself be implicated in the alleged corruption scandal involving Sabah assemblymen, says a source.

FMT understands that staff at a state mining company in Sabah were aware of the “shenanigans” taking place involving a former senior officer of the company.

According to the source, the former senior officer had introduced the whistleblower to the company as a potential investor.

The source claims the former senior officer had committed multiple wrongdoings, such as using confidential technical data about mineral reserves in Sabah to “manipulate the issuance of prospecting licences in the state.”

The former senior officer is also alleged to have deceived the state mining company’s board of directors by not providing accurate reports on the status of due diligence carried out on applicants for prospecting licences.

The former senior officer also instructed that companies which were already granted prospecting licences which were approved by the state mining company’s board of directors be replaced by firms which he is believed to have a vested interest in.

The source said the former senior officer and the whistleblower worked together to draw up applications for prospecting licences, which included details of the areas to be mined.

Various parties, including assemblymen, were also approached in a bid to secure Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor’s recommendation before the applications are considered by the board of directors.

“I am confident that the whistleblower and the former senior officer colluded to assume control over all mineral exploration in Sabah,” said the source.

“I am not sure if the former senior officer was just being used, but it is certain that he was directly involved in a conspiracy to seize control of Sabah’s mineral industry through bribery and deceit.”

Previously, Malaysiakini sighted eight videos from the whistleblower showing discussions between a businessman and assemblymen about bribes for a project licence.

While the whistleblower’s lawyer said his client was willing to provide MACC with evidence if the anti-graft agency could guarantee that he would not be investigated, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the whistleblower should first file an official complaint.

Yesterday, FMT reported that a report has been lodged with the MACC against the former senior officer of a state mining company in Sabah after he allegedly abused his power by working with a broker to help mineral exploration companies obtain prospecting licences through corrupt means.

Hajiji yesterday said he had nothing to hide and called on the MACC to probe the case, adding that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led state government will assist in the MACC’s investigation. - FMT