Pm Mining Scandal Case Not Closed Remarks Misrepresented

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PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has clarified that the Sabah mining scandal, implicating more than a dozen of his Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) allies, has not been closed.
He told Parliament that the MACC has submitted its investigation papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
Anwar said he personally watched the videos exposed by businessperson Albert Tei, in which politicians were alleged to have taken bribes in exchange for mineral exploration licences, and believes there are grounds for investigation.
“So far, these are criminal cases with no statute of limitations… so we need to be patient. Their cases have not been erased, not closed,” he said during Ministerial Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.
ADSHe was responding to a supplementary question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), who asked why the prime minister had not taken a stronger stance on corruption, particularly in the Sabah scandal.
Yesterday, Anwar faced criticism from Tei’s lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, for stating that the videos alone do not constitute sufficient evidence, despite Tei having submitted over 300 pages of supporting documents, including banking records and screenshots of WhatsApp conversations.
Mahajoth Singh (left) and Albert TeiCommenting further, Anwar explained that prosecutions against three individuals - Tei and two assemblypersons - occurred because the MACC and AGC found solid reasons and evidence, while other cases remain under investigation.
“I cannot direct prosecutions to proceed just because there is a video. This is sometimes how my statements are misrepresented,” he added.
Anwar also stressed that, despite allegations that the government was protecting certain individuals, the investigations into the corruption videos are ongoing and have not been dropped.
He rejected claims of selective prosecutions, highlighting that two of the charged individuals - Tanjung Batu assemblyperson Andi Suryady Bandy and Sindumin assemblyperson Yusof Yacob - are from coalition government parties.
“What must a prime minister do? Give clear and firm instructions - do not exclude anyone from investigations - but there must be strong evidence.
“Will others be prosecuted later? I do not know. The point is, the cases have not been erased or closed. Based on the information I have, not yet,” he asserted.
On Nov 16 in Kota Kinabalu, Anwar told reporters that the videos alone do not constitute sufficient evidence.
“I took the videos seriously. But then we looked (and in the videos it was said): ‘I want to give you RM1 million, you can take (it) next week'. That is not the case.
“You have to establish that there was a transfer of money. The cases that were established, they (MACC) charged. I draw the line,” he added.
ADSDenial of allegations
In the Dewan Rakyat this morning, Anwar also stated that he has never issued letters of support for any projects or contracts.
“If any letters exist, they were merely requests for review and were standard practice. But I cannot give support,” he said.
Responding to allegations that he used government assets for party programmes during campaigning in Sabah ahead of the Nov 29 state polls, Anwar stressed that all political programmes were conducted without using state facilities, except for official vehicles, which are allowed for security reasons.
“I do not have party programmes in Sabah; those are government programmes. My campaigns are all under the party’s name. A prime minister must use security teams and official vehicles in any programme for safety reasons,” he said. - Mkini

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