Kitingan Calls Bribery Claim A Set Up Says Money For Political Donation

---

 


Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I Jeffrey Kitingan has denied businessperson Albert Tei's accusation that he had received bribes in connection with mineral exploration licences in the state.
According to the Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president, he could not "really recall" having a conversation with Tei over a sum of money as depicted in a clip published by Malaysiakini yesterday.
Kitingan said the conversation appeared to be about political donations "years ago before the election" and claimed they had nothing to do with the mining scandal that implicated a slew of Sabah assemblypersons recently.
"I can't really recall this conversation, but I am shocked that such a private conversation was secretly recorded and now publicly displayed as if it has something to do with the mining scandal.
"It appears that the video is about political donations years ago before the election, without any hint of receipt, unlike the earlier mining scandal, and (this conversation has) nothing about the earlier mining scandal.
"It is just a set-up to link us with the mining scandal, which has nothing to do with me or my Star YBs (elected representatives)," he said in a text message.
The veteran politician added that Star leaders had never applied for mining licences either personally or under the party's name.
"I am a conservationist!" Kitingan stressed.
‘RM1.78m payout’
Yesterday, Tei released a video recording of his conversation with Kitingan, whom he alleged had received the largest payout of all in the Sabah mining scandal.
Businessperson Albert TeiTei also said that the sum purportedly given to the Keningau MP was RM1.78 million - higher than the RM1.6 million figure mentioned in the clip.
The meeting allegedly happened at a seafood restaurant in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 13, 2024, and revolved around the cancellation of mining exploration licences. - Mkini

---