The “Tangkap Jerung” rally targeting Sabah caretaker chief minister Hajiji Noor and over a dozen Sabah assemblypersons implicated in the mining corruption scandal concluded peacefully after about two hours outside the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today.
Whistleblower Albert Tei fronted the rally of some 100 people, comprising mostly activists and influencers who amplified the call to their social media followers for MACC to act against the incumbent lawmakers.
Ahead of official nominations for the 17th Sabah polls tomorrow, Tei urged voters to weigh their options after Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Star have so far named 10 candidates implicated through his series of video exposés.
“If you want the ‘sharks’ charged, do not vote for them.
“Because once they lose, they will have no more ‘value’ to be protected,” said Tei, who has been charged with offering the bribes.
The “sharks versus small fries” narrative referred to claims of inaction against a majority of the implicated assemblypersons, while only two - Andi Suryady Bandy (Tanjung Batu) and Yusof Yacob (Sindumin) - were charged with allegedly receiving bribes from Tei.
Protesters, dressed in black, today raised placards highlighting faces and names of the Sabah lawmakers, all of whom had previously denied the allegations against them.
They also wore a mask of Hajiji’s face, and mocked the GRS name, from a people’s coalition to a “corrupt” coalition.
Alleged injustices
The MACC had previously cleared Hajiji, who is defending his Sulaman seat, of any wrongdoing.
From 10am to noon, various speakers, including activists Rafidah Ibrahim and M Mythreyar took turns to highlight alleged injustices by authorities, not only on corruption claims, but also in cases of forced evictions in Kampung Sungai Baru and the ongoing Kampung Papan issue.
Mythreyar today also recalled his overnight stay in the Klang Selatan district police lock-up after he was arrested yesterday on grounds of allegedly obstructing a public servant in the discharge of their duties.
Referring to the Sabah lawmakers, Myhtreyar said, “these people are more than ‘sharks’ because sharks also eat only when they are hungry. But these people ‘eat’ even when they are already ‘full’ (rich).”
In backing the anti-graft rally, Federal Territories PAS earlier this week urged Malaysians nationwide to attend the anti-graft rally, in solidarity with Tei, who they claimed has demonstrated significant courage and integrity to expose corrupt practices and abuse of power in the government.
FT PAS today did not appear to have mobilised its members, but the chapter was represented by its Youth chief, Azmer Syazwan.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s son-in-law, Sungai Buloh PAS chief Zaharuddin Muhammad, ended the rally with a call for MACC to be granted prosecution powers, as well as for the MACC chief to be elected, to strengthen the body’s independence.
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