Warisan has called on the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to provide a clear update on the status of outstanding investigation papers linked to the Sabah mining scandal, which implicated more than a dozen politicians.
The party’s strategic communications director Christopher Masudal noted that the scandal first came to light in December 2024, while Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed in November last year that investigations were still ongoing and that the government was not shielding anyone from prosecution.
However, there has been no update on the matter since then.
“Today, nearly 19 months after the scandal first broke and more than a year after the investigation papers were submitted to the AGC, only two individuals (Sabah politicians) have been charged, while the others named in the investigations remain in limbo.
“The people of Sabah deserve to know the true status of this case and the reasons behind the prolonged delay,” Christopher said in a statement.
“This is not merely a procedural matter. Continued delays risk eroding public trust, not only in those accused but also in the democratic system and governance. It undermines confidence in the state administration as questions over transparency and accountability remain unanswered.
“Swift clarity is also a matter of fairness to those named, so that the innocent can clear their names without being left indefinitely under a cloud of public suspicion,” he added.
The Sabah politicians charged were Yusof Yacob and former state assistant minister Andi Suryady Bandy. Despite his legal wrangles, Yusof was appointed as the Sabah Development Bhd (SDB) chairperson earlier this year.
Anwar’s former aide Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin and the businessperson who exposed the scandal, Albert Tei, have also been charged in relation to the scandal.
Investment climate
Christopher emphasised that a timely resolution to the scandal was also crucial for Sabah, as the state’s investment climate depended on a governance system that was transparent, accountable and trustworthy.
“Transparency International's own research shows that corruption harms economic growth, distorts the business environment, impedes firm productivity and competitiveness and obstructs foreign direct investment.
“Their research has also found that investors themselves have voiced concern that corruption scandals can lead to funding being suspended or withdrawn from investments,” he added.
For as long as the Sabah scandal remains unresolved, Christopher said it will continue to weigh on investor confidence in the state's management of its resources and on Sabah's standing as a stable investment destination.
“I urge the AGC and MACC to expedite the review of the outstanding investigation papers and to provide a public update on the true status of this case in the near future,” he added. - Mkini
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