• The clip is believed to be extracted from one of 8 videos in which the whistleblower plans to surrender to MACC.
• Two individuals can be heard in the clip, including a businessperson whose voice has been digitally altered and an alleged assemblyperson.
• “You gave in installments as well. 200, 200 and 150,” the first person was heard saying. The businessperson corrected him, stating: “RM200,000, RM200,000, RM100,000. RM500,000 sahaja.”
• The first person went on to say that he had already spent the money for his division meeting, which he had organised in a grand manner.
• On Saturday (Nov 9), Malaysiakini reported that it had sighted 8 videos, each featuring a different assemblyperson, allegedly discussing bribes they had received in relation to a project with a businessperson.
• It was alleged that the businessperson was requesting the politicians to return the money after the project license was cancelled.
• Earlier, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng offered to help the whistleblower after MACC said it couldn’t guarantee protection without more details on the alleged improper conduct.
• Lim urged the whistleblower to reach out to him before Parliament adjourns mid-December. “I am prepared to present the evidence and disclose the names of those involved in Parliament,” he said.
Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor is belived to be at the centre of a looming bribery scandal involving Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), the coalition he chairs and which has been at loggerheads with state Umno leaders, MalaysiaNow has learnt.
This followed a campaign unleashed through news reports and social media posts relating to a RM4 million bribery scandal involving state assemblymen, with claims on the existence of evidences in the form of video clips and screenshots of text messages showing them admitting to receiving bribes.
The evidences were allegedly in the possession of an anonymous whistleblower who claimed he would only reveal it in exchange for protection from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
MalaysiaNow contacted Hajiji and his aide, but has yet to get a response at press time.
Meanwhile, a senior MACC investigator told MalaysiaNow that the build-up to the case raised suspicions, adding that the anti-graft body could have easily launched an investigation into the allegations without having to identify the whistleblower.
“The whistleblower’s concerns are irrelevant, what is more important is that he has the evidence and that alone is enough for MACC to launch an investigation immediately.”
Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported that the whistleblower is seeking an assurance from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that he would be given protection.
“Our client has solid evidence, including screen captures of WhatsApp conversations with the YBs (assemblymen) involved, documents and HD (high definition)video clips in which the YBs admitted to receiving the bribes,” said a letter from the whistleblower’s lawyer to Anwar, as quoted by Malaysiakini.
“For your information, our client is prepared to be the complainant in this case, surrender the evidence and become a witness for MACC”.
The same MACC source questioned chief commissioner Azam Baki’s refusal to give a written guarantee to protect the whistleblower from prosecution or legal action in return for the information.
“Azam is already bound by the Whistleblowers Protection Act and there is no need to seek any further assurance.
“In normal circumstances, the evidence should have triggered an investigation and MACC would have arrested or questioned the politicians involved,” the source added.
The GRS coalition led by Hajiji comprises eight political parties, including Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), of which he is the president.
GRS, which was originally made up of Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional, Parti Bersatu Sabah and several independent assemblymen, won the 2020 state elections held at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Just a month after the 2022 general election, in which Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional formed the federal government, Hajiji announced that he was leaving Sabah Bersatu, which was part of GRS, and instead said he and his party assemblymen would become direct members of the state coalition.
In January 2023, 13 Sabah Umno assemblymen revoked support for him, leaving him without a majority in the state assembly. Hajiji then announced he was taking over PGRS, bringing the party into GRS in order to remain in power.
Source : Malaysia Now
Nothing to hide, says Hajiji on assemblymen bribery case
Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor says he has nothing to hide in the alleged case of assemblymen from the state discussing bribes for a project licence.
Hajiji said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led state government will assist in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation, Harian Metro reported.
“We ask the authorities to investigate this case. We will offer our cooperation, but (MACC should) also investigate those who gave the bribes.
“Those who offer bribes have malicious intentions to obtain something from the government. When they fail to obtain it, then these kinds of things surface.
“I have nothing (to hide). The Sabah government is in a good state and is running well. The (audio clip) is just an accusation. We have nothing to hide,” he said, referring to audio clips related to the case.
Senior MACC officers have met a lawyer over the alleged case, who played a 17-second audio clip for the officers in which several people were heard having a conversation about money.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the lawyer indicated that his client was ready to provide them with evidence, but wanted an agreement that the client would not come under investigation.
Azam said this was rejected as MACC could not provide a written guarantee of immunity without detailed information about the alleged improper conduct.
The witness was urged to file an official complaint so that he could be granted protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.
The individual later sent Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim a letter asking for a guarantee of his protection before filing an MACC report. According to Malaysiakini, he claimed eight assemblymen were involved, including the “top leader” of the state.
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh urged MACC to offer the man whistleblower protection, pointing out that it could be revoked under several circumstances, including if the witness took part in the alleged misconduct.
The Coverage Malaysia
