Hajiji, Sabah govt never interfered in mining scandal probe, says Azam

 

MACC chief Azam Baki said eight Sabah assemblymen were told to explain their side of the story when the videos were played to them.

PETALING JAYA: 

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission says neither Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor nor his state government had interfered in its investigation into the alleged mining scandal in the state.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki also said the anti-graft agency had recorded Hajiji’s statement twice, Bernama reported.

“To date, statements have been taken from the implicated assemblymen, and now the only other individual to be questioned is the person who is involved in the video recordings,” he was quoted as saying, referring to the clips that were leaked by the purported whistleblower.

Azam said eight assemblymen were told to explain their side of the story when the videos were played to them.

“Which is why I had cautioned from the onset against drawing conclusions in this case,” he said.

He also said the MACC forensic team was still analysing 10 new videos linked to the scandal.

“These videos are longer and we need to see if they have been edited or doctored. We are also reviewing the audio,” he said.

In February, Azam had said the initial batch of videos on the alleged scandal could not be relied on by its investigators as they had been heavily edited and, therefore, lacked credibility. They would also be inadmissible in court, he said.

‘Contract up to govt to decide’

Azam said he will accept any decision the government makes over his contract, which will end next month.

Asked if he is still capable of continuing in his current capacity, he quipped: “I am still young.”

On April 3, Bloomberg, citing sources, reported that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was expected to approve a six-month extension of Azam’s service.

However, the next day, Anwar denied the report, saying no decision had been made.

Azam has served as chief commissioner since March 2020. His contract was extended for one year on May 10, 2023, and again for another year in 2024. - FMT