Bersatu: Is Sabah CM saying filmed reps victims of privacy intrusion?

 

Sabah Bersatu has questioned whether Chief Minister Hajiji Noor is suggesting that the assemblypersons implicated in a corruption scandal are victims of privacy intrusion.

“Is Hajiji (above) accusing those who recorded the video of wrongdoing for invading the privacy of the assemblypersons?

“In fact, his reference to ‘privacy intrusion’ seems to imply that the assemblypersons involved in (alleged) corruption are, instead, the victims,” said Sabah Bersatu deputy chief Affan Jumahat.

He was responding to Hajiji’s recent remarks, where the chief minister spoke about secret recordings and urged civil servants to avoid corruption.

Sabah Bersatu deputy chief Affan Jumahat

“We are in an era dominated by recording technology, where every step and word we utter may be heard or recorded without our knowledge. This is what I call the era of rampant privacy intrusion,” Hajiji had said.

Affan expressed his shock over what he described as an “illogical” speech delivered before hundreds of civil servants.

He claimed that the Gagasan Rakyat Sabah leader’s statement could create confusion and foster dangerous perceptions among the public.

“Does this mean that, in the future, if the public, especially the people of Sabah, want to expose corrupt activities, they are not allowed to record videos because it would be a violation of privacy?” he asked.

‘Defending the indefensible’

Affan also accused the chief minister of attempting to “defend the indefensible” once again.

“This is not the first time Hajiji has tried to divert public outrage over this corruption scandal.

“Previously, he was also quoted as suggesting that the money transactions recorded in the videos were a form of ‘political funds’ because his representatives had no choice, as their salaries were insufficient to survive,” he added.

The videos, recorded using a pen fitted with a hidden camera, were released by a businessperson who claimed he had bribed the assemblypersons in exchange for mineral exploration licences.

Hajiji has dismissed the videos as an attempt to undermine his administration and accused the whistleblower of colluding with parties who have vested interests.

The whistleblower, in turn, has been accused of engaging in fraudulent practices to monopolise mining activities in the state. - Mkini