Sabah Bersatu Is Pm Weaponising Graft Scandal To Reshape State Politics

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim continues to draw flak for regarding the Sabah corruption scandal as a political perception.
While former MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya found his remarks rib-tickling, Sabah Bersatu Youth chief Hisyam Hazaril was left speechless.
He also said it raises speculation that this corruption issue is being used as political capital to reshape Sabah’s political landscape.
“Is this an attempt to form a new political coalition using corruption as bait in anticipation of the upcoming state election?” he asked in a statement.
Describing Anwar’s speech as “shocking”, Hisyam said it further raised questions about the Madani government’s true commitment to combating corruption.
Since the speech was delivered in front of state leaders implicated in the scandal, he asked if it was an attempt to “publicly cleanse” their image.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Sabah, May 30, 2025“What is the hidden meaning behind this statement? Is it a signal that integrity can be negotiated for political interests?” he questioned.
Hisyam said the speech presented a rhetoric that contradicts the previously firm tone of the government, which claimed to have a zero-tolerance stance on any form of corruption.
“Now, the public sees a softening of that stance - a tendency to blur the line between misconduct and political strategy.
“Is this an early sign that principles of governance and justice can be diluted in the name of politics? How might this statement influence ongoing investigations? These are serious questions in the minds of the people.
“We are concerned that this is not merely a ‘perception’ but a symptom indicating that the Madani government is grappling with moral dualism - promoting anti-corruption as a slogan, yet embedding selective tolerance in its practice,” he added.
Sabah Bersatu Youth chief Hisyam HazarilHisyam emphasised that the people want consistent firmness, not empty promises or political theatrics that confuse and mislead.
ADSVideos are ‘hard evidence’
Yesterday, Latheefa questioned Anwar’s message to current MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki.
She said the videos, which showed several Sabah state leaders purportedly discussing bribes, were not “perception”.
“What perception was he talking about? This is hard evidence. Videos depicting people who are confessing to an action of corruption are not perception, it’s hard evidence,” she said.
In his speech, Anwar defended MACC’s handling of the case following accusations that the commission is dragging its feet.
“The allegation is that we are covering it up, that’s a perception - raised especially in urban areas - as though there’s an effort to cover up acts of corruption and wrongdoing,” he said.- Mkini

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