Sabah Assembly Says No To Question On Bribery Involving Speaker Govt Reps

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The Sabah legislative assembly has rejected an opposition member's request to ask a question regarding the alleged corruption scandal implicating its speaker and several government representatives.
ADSIt was learned that Sekong assemblyperson Alias Sani had requested permission to seek an explanation from Chief Minister Hajiji Noor on what he has done so far to protect the good name of the state in regard to the scandal.
"What are the actions the chief minister has taken so far to protect the good name of Sabah and its state government following (alleged) corruption issues implicating government 'YBs' (elected representatives) and the DUN (state legislative assembly) speaker?" the question stated.
In a letter dated April 14, the House, however, told Alias that his question had been rejected, citing Article 21(1)(c) of its Standing Orders which stipulates a series of rules for questions.
"(c) a question shall not contain arguments, inferences, opinions, imputations, epithets or tendentious, ironical or offensive expressions," said the letter sighted by Malaysiakini.
When contacted on the matter, Sabah assembly speaker Kadzim Yahya told Malaysiakini to direct the question to the House's secretary Rafidah Maqbool Rahman.
Sabah assembly speaker Kadzim Yahya"You may refer this to the DUN secretary, it is not the speaker's duty to accept questions," he said.
Following this, Malaysiakini contacted Rafidah, who replied in a brief text message that "any question to be asked in the assembly must comply with the DUN standing orders".
Serious claims
The Sabah administration led by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has been hit with serious allegations of corruption since late last year after a whistleblower leaked a series of video clips and WhatsApp chats that implicate government leaders in purported discussions about bribes.
Kadzim was among those who had allegedly received money from the whistleblower, who is also a businessperson involved in mineral mining activities.
The whistleblower, who accused Kadzim of using his position to request projects from Hajiji, had in March released a video clip of his purported conversation with the speaker regarding a sum of RM350,000.
He had also revealed alleged WhatsApp messages with Kadzim where the speaker had allegedly asked for a RM50,000 cash advance from the whistleblower after losing his wallet.
In his defence, Kadzim claimed that the RM50,000 was a loan, but denied any knowledge about the RM350,000 referenced in the video clip. - Mkini

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