Conflict Of Interest Sabah Bersatu Leader Returns Fire To Armizan

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A Bersatu Youth leader has raised questions over Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali’s recent dismissal of allegations linking him to the Sabah mining scandal.
ADSSabah Bersatu Youth chief Hisyam Hazaril Azman took particular issue with Armizan’s confirmation that he was involved in a May 16, 2023, meeting between state subsidiary Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) and an Indonesian firm.
Armizan (above) said his presence at the meeting, alongside SMM’s entire management team, was in his capacity as a then-board manager.
Hisyam highlighted that at that time, Armizan also held the position of minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah, Sarawak affairs and special duties).
“It is quite unusual for an individual holding a ministerial position in the federal cabinet to also hold a position as an SMM board member.
“Armizan’s position has raised negative perceptions in the community as his ministerial portfolio had no relation with the mineral sector…this is difficult for the people of Sabah to understand,” Hisyam said in a statement today.
Clarify the matter
He also highlighted that it is customary for an individual to resign from positions in the state government after being appointed a federal minister.
“If (Armizan) was allowed to hold both positions simultaneously, it is not impossible for conflicts of interests to arise, as is currently being said on social media,” he alleged, urging Armizan to clarify the matter.
Earlier, Armizan, who is also the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah deputy secretary-general, affirmed that he was part of the 2023 meeting between SMM’s management and representatives from Indonesia’s public-listed firm, PT Bayan Resources.
Armizan said the meeting was a mission to review “genuine and high-impact” investment proposals similar to PT Bayan’s successful projects in Indonesia, which have also employed many skilled Malaysian professionals.
He said this in response to several Facebook postings citing a “Datuk Z” claiming Armizan was involved in negotiations between an Indonesian company and SMM over mineral exploration licences in the state.
The postings, which included photos of Armizan and SMM’s visit to the Indonesian company’s office in Jakarta, had attempted to link him to an alleged corruption scandal involving mineral exploration projects in Sabah.
Since November last year, eight Sabah assemblypersons, the state speaker and Chief Minister Hajiji Noor were implicated in the scandal by a whistleblower.
The whistleblower had released a series of video clips showing several state leaders purportedly discussing bribes they received for supporting a mineral exploration licence. - Mkini

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