Someone High Up Told Sabah Whistleblower To Walk Away Latheefa

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A whistleblower at the heart of the Sabah corruption scandal had revealed alleged threats from a “higher up” who discouraged him from directly engaging with the MACC, former MACC chief Latheefa Koya claimed today.
Latheefa said the whistleblower, a businessperson whom she referred to as Albert, had come to meet her and Lawyers for Liberty executive director Zaid Malek at their office in Petaling Jaya yesterday. 
During a joint press conference with Zaid, Latheefa said Albert also presented them with a USB device containing all unedited videos in his possession and the device used to record the conversations implicating Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, eight other Sabah assemblypersons, a political aide, and the Sabah state assembly speaker.
“These unedited videos have never been revealed before. Zaid and I have viewed the entire full version of all the videos,” she said.
“It was always Albert’s intention to hand it over to the authorities. But he faced threats, he faced obstacles. 
“Someone high up even told him to walk away, take a holiday, don’t lodge a report, and say it’s all a misunderstanding or there will be consequences for him,” she claimed.
Former MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya and LFL executive director Zaid MalekLatheefa, who is also Lawyers for Liberty co-founder, said protection should be provided to Albert, who had provided clear evidence of alleged corruption, which must be promptly investigated.
“What does a responsible government do when faced with evidence of this nature?
“It investigates promptly and thoroughly, and most importantly, it provides protection to the informant.
“But in Malaysia, it is our shame that this did not happen,” she said.
Malaysiakini previously reported that Albert had admitted to offering the bribes, raising questions over whether he would also be liable for prosecution by MACC.
Don’t let ‘big fish’ escape
Latheefa, however, argued that it would be in the public’s interest to protect the whistleblower and use his testimony to go after the bigger culprits.
“It is not in the public interest to arrest, remand or prosecute him (Albert) and let the big fish escape.
“Do you really think that the public want to see Albert arrested or prosecuted?
“Or does the public want Albert protected and his testimony used to take action upon the video evidence of potentially the worst corruption scandal since 1MDB?
“The answer is obvious. The public is watching,” she stressed.

Video, WhatsApp evidence
Since November, Malaysiakini has published more than eight videos and a flood of WhatsApp screenshots related to the case.
The whistleblower claimed that the videos captured discussions about bribes he offered to several assemblypersons in exchange for mineral exploration licences.
Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji NoorDuring the discussions, the assemblypersons, including those with senior portfolios, also implicated Hajiji in allegedly distributing licences as “gifts” in exchange for their support during the state’s 2022 political crisis.
Hajiji has dismissed the allegations as an attempt to tarnish his administration, suggesting that the whistleblower is collaborating with parties with vested interests. - Mkini

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