Hajiji's hasty exoneration from alleged Sabah corruption

The long-running Sabah corruption scandal took a new turn when what could be the alleged chief perpetrator was cleared of wrongdoing in a highly politicised case ahead of the Sabah state election, which has to be held at the latest by early December.

It is too early for MACC chief Azam Baki to stop investigating the Sabah corruption scandal even if he inexplicably cleared Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, an ally of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, of any wrongdoing.

It is also way too early to clear Hajiji of corruption involving mining prospecting licences when there are still so many things uninvestigated and the allegations of corruption have been substantiated with videos. Both Hajiji and Sabah politicians need to undergo continued investigation over this issue.

To fully understand the allegations and implications, it is necessary to run through a chronology of events as reported by Malaysiakini. Those who want to can click through the articles below for more information and clarity.

Sabah corruption scandal: A chronology

• Nov 9: Damning clips: Reps filmed discussing 'bribes', whistleblower seeks protection

• Nov 9: Whistleblower's lawyer met MACC, played 17-sec audio clip: Azam

• Nov 10: Whistleblower: I want to come clean on greasy palms, but I am afraid

• Nov 12: 'Please review my evidence' - whistleblower in open letter to Agong

• Nov 12: No immediate protection for bribe giver: PM on whistleblower case 

• Nov 15: Sabah reps' alleged corruption videos: What has happened so far

• Nov 17: MCMC requests Mkini to remove 'RM70m' Sabah video, report

• Nov 17 Ex-CEO claims he has proof against CM, denies collusion allegation

• Nov 20: Ex-CEO grilled for almost 7 hours, files MACC report against Sabah CM

• Nov 22: Ex-SMM CEO acted contrary to board's decisions, says Hajiji

• Dec 3: 'Money talks': Whistleblower releases full videos on Sabah scandal

• Dec 3: Sabah videos Part 1: 'RM300k in bag' and 'RM500k in installments'

• Dec 3: Sabah videos Part 2: 'RM450k used to settle debts', 'I can return RM500k'

• Dec 3: Sabah videos Part 3: 'RM400k in cash ma', 'RM360k small amount'

• Dec 4: Hajiji dismisses 'edited' videos, says graft allegations unfounded

• Dec 9: MACC questions 15, including whistleblower over Sabah graft claims

• Dec 26: 'When, how, where' - RM500k linked to Musa Aman's son-in-law

• Dec 27 'When, how, where' - RM450k linked to Sabah assistant minister

• Dec 28: 'This is business, not politics' - RM500k linked to Sindumin rep

• Jan 21: Sabah scandal: MACC completes probe, submits findings to DPP

• Feb 11: TI-M: Sabah graft scandal might affect M'sia corruption ranking

• Feb 13: 'Too little' info hampering probe into Sabah scandal - MACC chief

• Feb 14: Ramkarpal: Azam's statement absurd, videos show prima facie case

• Feb 16: Azam: Edited Sabah scandal videos can't be used for probe, inadmissible

• Feb 25: Latheefa pans successor's 'edited video can't be used' argument

• Mar 10: New 'RM350k' Sabah scandal video drops, speaker cries 'falsehoods'

• Mar 11 MACC to review 'full, unedited' Sabah corruption scandal videos: Azam

• Mar 11: Sabah corruption: LFL to submit unedited videos to MACC

• Mar 12: Businessperson unfazed as Azam names him, to give MACC statement

• Mar 13: Sabah whistleblower quizzed for 11 hours, provides ample proof to MACC

• Mar 24: Sabah NGO slams PM for lauding Hajiji, queries anti-graft pledge

• April 10: MACC waiting for forensic analysis of Sabah videos, vows no cover-up

• April 13: Sabah scandal: Azam clearing CM not enough, Shafie says

The scandal blew up on Nov 9 when Malaysiakini reported that it has seen eight damning video clips showing discussions of bribes for high-ranking Sabah politicians over the issue of mining prospecting licences. It’s important to remember that the whistleblower had sought protection at that early stage for this, saying he was afraid.

Whistleblower appealed to king

Azam said he saw a 17-second clip and confirmed that the whistleblower’s lawyers had met the MACC. The whistleblower appealed to the King to review the evidence he provided in an open letter published in Malaysiakini. He also wrote a letter to the prime minister.

Surprisingly, Anwar, commenting on the case, said there would be no immediate protection for the whistleblower. “If there is vague information, including whether the whistleblower is also involved in corruption, it must be reviewed and investigated, not give them protection immediately,” he was quoted as saying by Astro Awani on Nov 12.

Later on, in March, Azam made an even more surprising move, revealing the full name of the whistleblower after the MACC interrogated him and investigated the allegations, causing shock among NGOs and others, who heavily criticised the move.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki

On Nov 12, a video was released in which former Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) Sdn Bhd CEO Jontih Enggihon accused Hajiji of abusing his powers. He claimed, among others, that Hajiji was looking out for the interests of one contractor. Hajiji had earlier that day denied any involvement in the corruption scandal.

Jontih claimed to possess evidence to substantiate his allegation that Hajiji “abused his powers”, on Nov 17. He denied that he was colluding with the whistleblower. Following this, he was grilled by the MACC for seven hours on Nov 20. He filed a report against the chief minister.

Thus, without this being investigated and explained, clearing Hajiji of any wrongdoing at this early, indefinite stage is premature. There are too many questions left unanswered.

Full videos released

On Dec 3, the whistleblower released the full videos on the bribery allegations, which were reproduced in Malaysiakini, to enable the MACC to investigate. Hajiji dismissed the videos, saying the graft allegations were unfounded.

The MACC questioned 15 people, including the whistleblower. Later in December, the whistleblower released two more tapes linking others, including the son-in-law of newly appointed Sabah governor Musa Aman. It looked like the net was widening.

On Jan 21, MACC said it had completed investigations and submitted papers to the deputy public prosecutor’s office. This did not stop Transparency International from saying the case may adversely affect Malaysia’s standing on the corruption perception index.

DAP lawyer Ramkarpal Singh said there was a prima facie case for prosecution while Latheefa Koya, also a lawyer, and Azam’s predecessor, disagreed with Azam that edited videos can’t be used in prosecution.

Lawyers for Liberty said they would hand over the unedited tapes to the MACC, giving the graft buster no more excuses to not proceed with the investigation.

Waiting for forensic evidence

A few days ago, on April 10, a full five months after the scandal was first exposed, the MACC said it was still waiting for “forensic evidence” over the tapes, vowing no cover-up - the usual platitude when authorities want to delay matters.

Azam’s reputation as an MACC chief is not unblemished and comes with many blotches as explained so well in this recent column by R Nadeswaran titled “Azam's blotted past does not warrant an extension” which outlines damning indictments.

Still, he is likely to get that extension as he is seen as someone who does the prime minister’s bidding, and Anwar is seen as one who does not want to rock his political boat, especially ahead of what could be a bruising state election battle this year.

Azam’s term is due to end on May 12 and is expected to be extended. Azam too is not likely to rock the boat so soon before his extension. All’s not well when everyone’s but the rakyat’s interest is protected.

So much for Anwar’s uncompromising stance against corruption. - Mkini

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P GUNASEGARAM wonders how much more this government can disappoint.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKTt.