Sabah Bersatu Taunts Speaker Congrats Found Your Wallet

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Sabah Bersatu has fired a biting broadside at state legislative assembly speaker Kadzim Yahya - freshly reappointed for a second term - by reviving the corruption allegations that continue to shadow him.
“Was the wallet ever found? What brand and design of wallet could possibly hold such a large amount in cash?” taunted the party’s state youth chief, Hisyam Hazaril.
The jab referred to WhatsApp messages exposed by businessperson Albert Tei, linked to the mining scandal, in which Kadzim allegedly sought a RM50,000 “cash advance” after claiming he had misplaced his wallet.
Sabah assembly speaker Kadzim YahyaTei further released a video of his purported conversation with the speaker about an RM350,000 bribe, while also alleging that Kadzim had demanded RM3 million and a 50 percent stake in one of the companies vying for mineral exploration licences.
Kadzim has dismissed the accusations as “falsehoods”, insisting the RM50,000 was a loan request, not an advance.
Reappointment scrutiny
Extending his “highest congratulations” to Kadzim, who will now serve until 2030, Hisyam said the reappointment has not escaped the scrutiny of the people of Sabah.
“This situation raises a significant question: how can an individual who has been implicated in serious corruption allegations still be entrusted to lead the highest legislative institution of the state? Can the values of integrity, credibility, and dignity of the assembly truly be preserved under such leadership?” he asked.
Hisyam said this incident seemed to set a new precedent in Sabah politics that if someone is caught or associated with receiving money, it can simply be interpreted as a “loan” to avoid further action.
“Is this truly the kind of message we want to pass down to the next generation about the meaning of integrity in leadership?” he asked.
He stressed that it is time to review the process of appointing the speaker so that it aligns more closely with the spirit of modern democracy.
“The current practice of allowing appointments from outside the assembly appears no longer relevant and must be reconsidered.
“Would it not be more appropriate for the speaker to be chosen by the elected assembly members themselves, who better understand the people’s pulse and legislative responsibilities?” he added.

For context, Kadzim’s reappointment is largely procedural. Sabah requires a sitting speaker to formally dissolve the assembly when necessary, and with his previous term ending on Oct 1, extending his tenure was essential to avoid leaving the assembly without an office-bearer to perform this constitutional duty.
If and when a new state government comes into power, it also cannot unilaterally remove Kadzim. Any change would require the state assembly to table and pass a motion for his removal, after which a new speaker may be elected.
Image of state assembly questioned
Hisyam also questioned whether the image of the state assembly could be preserved if its proceedings were presided over by someone under investigation or facing possible prosecution.
“Will such an appointment elevate the dignity of the state, or will it instead bring shame and humiliation to the people of Sabah in the eyes of the nation?” he asked.
Kadzim received the instrument of appointment from state governor Musa Aman at Istana Seri Kinabalu yesterday.
Istana Seri KinabaluSince last November, Tei has implicated more than a dozen ruling politicians, including senior members of the state cabinet, in the mining scandal.
He has also provided the MACC with videos and documents amounting to more than 300 pages.
However, to date, only two assemblypersons, together with Tei, have been charged, while the fate of the others remains unclear, leading detractors to allege a possible cover-up. - Mkini

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