Kitingan Denies Rm1 78m Mining Scandal Link Says Claim Unfounded

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Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president Jeffrey Kitingan has denied allegations that he received RM1.78 million in connection with the mining licence corruption scandal.
In a statement today, Star information chief Anuar Ghani Gilong said Kitingan described the accusations as completely unfounded and represents a politically motivated attack designed to destabilise, demonise and demolish the Sabah government.
“Kitingan emphasises that he has never, ever, received any funds related to the mining applications or any alleged scandal.
“The accusations are a deliberate fabrication orchestrated by desperate political actors seeking to exert undue influence on Sabah politics, a tactic historically employed since the 1960s,” said Anuar.
Anuar said Star has never applied for any mining licences and denies any involvement in mining activities.
“As proponents of the Nature Conservation Agreement (NCA), the party maintains that mining is inherently incompatible with its conservation principles,” he said.
More shocking news
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that six more Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) politicians from Star and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) have been implicated in the corruption scandal against Chief Minister Hajiji Noor’s administration.
A source has furnished Malaysiakini with screenshots purportedly taken from video recordings involving the six implicated leaders and a purported total amount of RM3.96 million.
A combo picture of politicians implicated in the Sabah mining licence scandalAnuar said Kitingan, who is also Sabah deputy chief minister I, has cooperated fully with the MACC in investigations related to the mining licence scandal, together with other Star members.
“He (Kitingan) condemns the media’s attempt to try the case through (the court of) public opinion instead of following proper legal channels.
“This is the price you pay for fighting for Sabah rights,” said Anuar.
ADS“He (Kitingan) also notes that previous statements made by the whistleblower have exonerated both Star and PBS of any wrongdoing or receipt of corrupt funds,” said Anuar in reference to the businessperson “Albert” who prompted an MACC probe after his initial series of video exposés.
Citing Malaysiakini’s latest report, Anuar said Kitingan had warned legal action against what was termed as “irresponsible and damaging reporting.”
“We expect more false and slanderous allegations to come out of the mouth of Malaysiakini and other political manipulators,” said Anuar.
He warned that similar “libellous and false accusations” were likely to intensify ahead of the next Sabah election, accusing certain parties of seeking to exploit such claims to sway the political landscape. - Mkini

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