Clarify Prospecting Licence Linked To Farhash Mps Tell Govt

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PARLIAMENT | The public might assume the worst of the government if it fails to clarify claims that a company linked to the prime minister's former aide was granted a prospecting licence in Sabah, warned Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar).
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, the former Muda president cautioned that a lack of clarification from the government on the matter involving Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak could lead to the rakyat forming their own conclusions - which are unlikely to favour authorities.
“Maybe the prime minister didn’t even know about (the alleged licence), but if no action or investigation is initiated, people will say that maybe there is a culture of conspiring (among government officials),” Syed Saddiq (above) said.
Debating the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was tabled for its second reading in Parliament today, the lawmaker stressed that the allegations against Farhash have already gained widespread public attention.
ADSHe highlighted that some of the claims against the former Perak PKR chief include how a company linked to him was awarded a mining exploration licence in Sabah on 70,000ha in the Kalabakan and Gunung Rara forest reserves near the Kalimantan border.
This is an area almost three times the size of Kuala Lumpur.
“Honestly, I can’t even imagine (the size of the land). (Additionally), the licence is said to have been given at a time when the scandal (involving mining licences in Sabah) was out there,” Syed Saddiq remarked.
Sabah scandal
Sabah mineral prospecting licences have been the subject of a massive corruption scandal, after multiple assemblypersons, including state ministers, were caught on video discussing alleged bribes with businessperson Albert Tei - who later blew the whistle on the alleged deals.
Two Sabah politicians, state assistant minister Andi Suryady Bandy and Qhazanah Sabah chairperson Yusof Yacob, have been charged with taking RM350,000 in bribes from Tei, who has also been prosecuted for giving bribes.
Yesterday, MalaysiaNow published a report accusing a company linked to Farhash of receiving a prospecting licence from state-owned Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM).
Businessperson Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal MubarakWhile Farhash had denied the allegations and issued a cease and desist letter against the news portal, the latter had doubled down by publishing documents allegedly proving its claims.
It also claimed that the cache of evidence comprising correspondence, corporate filings, board minutes and an audio recording, was purportedly provided by an insider at SMM, the state licensing body led by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.
Rakyat may lose confidence
PAS MP Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) has also urged the government to address the allegations against Farhash, who served as Anwar’s political secretary before the latter became the prime minister.
Pendang MP Awang HashimAsserting that the case has caused the rakyat to lose confidence in Anwar’s administration, Awang said the government must immediately deny the accusations if they are indeed false.
ADS“Is it true that 70,000ha of land in Sabah was given to somebody who is close with the government? If it’s not true, then please answer. I’m not making accusations, but feel free to clarify,” he said in his debate.
In the same vein, Bersatu lawmaker Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal questioned the government on the measures taken to address the Sabah corruption scandal, asserting that the controversy is a “litmus test” for whistleblowers.
He also queried how the government will convince the people that its reformation ideals are still intact, especially in light of the allegations against Farhash.
Reform ‘in operation’ - deputy minister
In response, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M Kulasegaran (Harapan-Ipoh Barat) said: “Reformasi is not just alive - it is in operation”.
Ipoh Barat MP M KulasegaranHe also affirmed that while the public has been made aware of details concerning the corruption scandal via the media, whistleblowers should still bring their information to the proper enforcement agencies.
“If they (whistleblowers) go to the media, then it complicates matters… it will be a trial by the media, and that is a problem.
“People might also think that there are several (government) agencies which are compromised,” Kulasegaran added, noting that other more developed nations have adopted a similar stance.
He also took aim at the opposition’s attempts to argue with him over the matter, saying: “It’s not worth it (for the opposition) to score points. We’re not trying to move the goal post, (but) if you were in the government, you would be answering the same as me.” - Mkini

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