Sabah Polls Grs Star Field 10 Implicated In Mining Scandal

---

 


The list of candidates from parties contesting in the Sabah election is almost final, with nomination day just around the corner.
The election comes against a backdrop of a massive corruption scandal involving those in the present administration and businessperson Albert Tei.
Malaysiakini’s checks found that many of those implicated will be contesting again, while some have been dropped.
The list, however, is not final as GRS and Star still have candidates who have not been named.
The politicians - who have denied any wrongdoing - are as follows:
Hajiji Noor (GRS-Sulaman)
The caretaker chief minister and GRS chairperson’s name had been mentioned by several other assemblypersons who were secretly recorded having conversations with Tei, in which they purportedly discussed bribes received from the businessperson in exchange for support to get mineral exploration licences.
Hajiji NoorAmong them was incumbent Tanjung Keramat assemblyperson and Sabah caretaker deputy chief minister III Shahelmey Yahya, who alluded that Hajiji was aware of the quantum of kickbacks each elected representative received, while incumbent Sindumin rep Yusof Yacob claimed Hajiji had “signed (off)” on a “deal” between Tei and him (Yusof).
The MACC cleared Hajiji of any wrongdoing.
Jeffrey Kitingan (Star-Tambunan)
Kitingan is the Star president and the caretaker deputy chief minister I.
Jeffrey KitinganTei alleged that Kitingan received the largest payout from him in connection with the mining scandal, to the tune of RM1.78 million.
The businessperson also claimed that Kitingan had vouched for a sand mining licence application on Balambangan Island in Sabah, which is a joint venture effort with Yayasan Sabah.
Dr Joachim Gunsalam (GRS-Kundasang)
Gunsalam is the acting president for Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and caretaker deputy chief minister II.
Dr Joachim GunsalamAccording to Tei, Gunsalam allegedly received between RM500,000 and RM600,000 from him in connection with the mining scandal.
The politician, however, claimed that the monies channelled by Tei were a political donation for PBS and not bribes.
Tei also alleged that Gunsalam was involved in another scandal, claiming the state housing and local government minister tried to monopolise Sabah’s scrap metal industry.
Masidi Manjun (GRS-Karanaan)
The caretaker state finance minister allegedly received RM300,000 as part of a promised kickback for supporting Tei’s company.
Masidi ManjunThe total amount that was allegedly promised to Masidi was RM3 million.
Arifin Arif (GRS-Membakut)
Arifin, who is the son-in-law of Sabah governor Musa Aman, was alleged to have received up to RM500,000 from Tei.
He is also the caretaker science, technology, and innovation state minister.
Ellron Angin (GRS-Sook)
The caretaker state youth and sports minister was implicated in a video for allegedly receiving RM530,000 from Tei.
Ellron was with Star as one of the party’s deputy presidents, but decided to back GRS after Star exited the ruling coalition last month.
Robert Tawik (GRS-Bingkor)
Another former Star deputy president, Robert, is accused of receiving a RM300,000 bribe from Tei.
Like Ellron, he switched sides after Star exited GRS last month.
Rubin Balang (GRS-Kemabong)
Rubin was not accused of taking bribes from Tei.
However, in a video clip, the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah leader allegedly asked the businessperson to propose a price to take over a coal mining licence from a company registered to Rubin’s children.
Rubin BalangRubin allegedly got the licence from Hajiji, who granted him “one” when he asked for “two”, but was “grateful” nonetheless.
When Tei proposed a payment of RM3 million, the veteran politician allegedly replied: “RM3 million? RM3 million? That is all? Wasting my time”.
Arsad Bistari (GRS-Tempasuk)
Arsad allegedly received RM360,000 in exchange for his support for Tei’s company to get a mining exploration licence in Sabah.
This amount was said to be part of an alleged RM1 million bribe that was promised to him.
Masiung Banah (GRS-Kuamut)
Tei claimed that Masiung, who is chairperson of Sabah’s housing and urban development board, was tied to a payment of RM400,000 in connection with the businessperson’s bid to get a mineral exploration licence from the Sabah government.
Not on the list
GRS and Star’s candidate lists so far also showed that four other incumbent state assemblypersons implicated with Tei’s licence bid may not be defending their seats.
They are PBS deputy president Jahid Jahim (Tamparuli), Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Shahelmey (Tanjung Keramat), and Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (Tanjung Batu).
Shahelmey and Andi, a state assistant minister, had been widely tipped to defend their seats under GRS after being suspended from Umno last year for defying party orders during the 2023 “Kinabalu Move”.
Sabah caretaker deputy chief minister III Shahelmey YahyaHowever, as they won their Parliament seats on a BN ticket, contesting under GRS in the upcoming state election could trigger the anti-hopping law and result in them losing their status as MPs.
Shahelmey reportedly confirmed that he is staying out of the state polls to stay on as Putatan MP, and will instead support his brother Shah Alfie, who is contesting the Tanjung Keramat seat on a GRS ticket.
Andi and Yusof are the only ones who have been charged in relation to the corruption scandal thus far. - Mkini

---