Whistleblower Musa Aman S Son In Law Offered Settlement To Silence Me

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EXCLUSIVE | The whistleblower who exposed a series of videos implicating Sabah assemblypersons in an alleged corruption scandal has claimed that state Governor Musa Aman’s son-in-law, Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, offered a settlement to silence him.
According to the businessperson, the alleged settlement included reinstating his revoked mineral exploration licences in exchange for issuing a public statement declaring that the funds were political donations.
He also shared a purportedly pre-written media statement, which he claimed was prepared for him, stating that he had made similar “contributions” to assemblypersons from Umno, Star, and PBS.
The statement (above), which was forwarded to Malaysiakini, also urged him to apologise to the accused assemblypersons, including Arifin, who he claimed had accepted bribes in return for supporting his licence applications.
The purported statement called on him to describe what transpired between him and Chief Minister Hajiji Noor as a “misunderstanding” and that the businessperson is prepared to set the record straight.
Malaysiakini has contacted Hajiji, Arifin, and the other assemblypersons mentioned for comment.
Sabah Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, who is also Governor Musa Aman’s son-in-lawChronology of events
The businessperson claimed that after Malaysiakini published screenshots of WhatsApp messages between him and the assemblypersons in late December, Arifin reached out to his company’s chairperson - a retired high-ranking civil servant identified only as “Dato A”.
Arifin, who is also Sabah’s science, technology, and innovation minister, allegedly contacted Dato A after a Malaysiakini journalist sought his comments on the leaked messages.
“Arifin offered to settle the matter by reinstating all the licences. He also requested that Malaysiakini refrain from publishing further articles, including those concerning his alleged WhatsApp conversations,” the whistleblower claimed.
He further alleged that Arifin had contacted Masidi Manjun - another assemblyperson implicated in the scandal - and that both of them planned to meet Hajiji to resolve the crisis.
Sabah Finance Minister and Karanaan Assemblyperson Masidi Manjun“I agreed to consider the offer out of respect for Dato A. However, I informed him that I cannot dictate to Malaysiakini not to publish the articles,” he added.
ADSThe whistleblower claimed that the offer was an attempt to prevent “disruptions” ahead of Arifin’s father-in-law’s swearing-in as Sabah governor on Jan 1.
He alleged that Arifin, who is also the Gagasan Rakyat Sabah vice-president, contacted Dato A again on Dec 27 after Malaysiakini published additional articles on the alleged WhatsApp conversations.
“Again, he asked Dato A to tell me to stop releasing the articles. I refused, saying I could not reach the Malaysiakini editor during the holiday period,” he said.
Arifin allegedly stated that he was given a mandate to negotiate with the whistleblower through Dato A and that efforts were underway to reinstate the licences.
However, after Malaysiakini published more reports on Dec 28, Arifin reportedly called Dato A again to complain.
“Arifin accused me (whistleblower) of not being sincere about settling the matter. Based on Dato A’s advice, I agreed to remain silent. However, I requested a ‘guarantee’ from Arifin through Dato A,” he claimed.
‘Arifin offered to resign if deal fell through’
On Dec 29, after discussions with Dato A, Arifin allegedly presented a new proposal.
“Arifin said he would resign from the state cabinet if the licences were not reinstated. However, he also set a condition - I must issue a media statement declaring the entire episode a misunderstanding,” he alleged.
The businessperson claimed that the following day, Dec 30, Arifin, accompanied by Sindumin assemblyperson Yusof Yacob - who was also implicated in the scandal - visited Dato A’s house to discuss the matter further.
Sindumin assemblyperson Yusof Yacob“The two of them handed Dato A a prepared statement that I was expected to make. I was told that once I issued the statement, the licences would be returned,” he alleged.
On Dec 31, the businessperson claimed that Arifin brought Dato A and another company chairperson, who is also a former high-ranking government official identified as “Dato R”, as a witness to Hajiji’s residence in Likas.
“When the three of them arrived there, they found that many people were inside Hajiji’s house. It was not appropriate for Dato A and Dato R to enter, so only Arifin went in to meet Hajiji to obtain confirmation regarding the reinstatement of the licences.
“After 30 minutes later, Arifin exited the house and took Dato A and Dato R to his nearby home. According to Arifin, Hajiji agreed to return the licences, but the company name had to be changed, and a new application had to be submitted to avoid any controversy.
“Following this, Dato A sought further confirmation from Arifin in the presence of Dato R, asking what guarantee Arifin could provide if Hajiji broke his promise. Arifin assured that he would resign from his cabinet minister position if that happened,” he alleged.
Opted to appeal for reinstatement instead
However, the businessperson said he rejected this proposal to change the company’s name based on three factors:
The current company has signed a joint venture agreement/contract with investors.
Establishing a new company requires a relatively long time, high costs, and is a complex process.
The process of obtaining a new licence for a new company involves returning to the initial stage, which takes a long time, whereas the appeal process is faster and easier.
“Therefore, I turned down the proposal and maintained the appeal method to regain the approval. Dato A briefed Arifin regarding this matter, and the latter said he understood the situation and agreed with the next course of action.
“On Jan 1, I prepared all the appeal letters to be presented to Hajiji and delivered them to Dato A’s house on Jan 3.
“Dato A sent all the letters to Arifin on Jan 4 and requested the ‘nota bidai’ (remarks) on the minutes by Hajiji. However, Arifin informed Dato A that he would be accompanying Hajiji for umrah from Jan 6 until 20 and would not be able to do anything during this period,” he claimed.
Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji NoorThe whistleblower alleged that on Jan 21, Arifin went to Dato A’s residence to discuss the matter further.
“I was informed by Dato A that Arifin appeared to dodge his earlier promise. The next day, I asked Dato A to convey to Arifin to keep his word and resign if the licences were not reinstated.
“Dato A passed Arifin my message on Jan 23 when the pair met at the Tabung Haji building in Kota Kinabalu.
“Arifin’s excuse was that since I did not release the media statement (saying the money was a political donation), he could not be faulted or be held responsible,” alleged the businessperson.
‘I never believed offer was real’
The businessperson told Malaysiakini that he never believed the licences would be reinstated but initially chose to remain silent out of respect for Dato A and other company directors.
“It is impossible for them to return the licences. How would they explain it? The opposition would jump on it, and with the state election approaching, they cannot afford the risk.
“Moreover, how would they justify the contents of the leaked videos and WhatsApp messages? The conversations clearly show money being exchanged for licences.
“I wish to make one thing clear again. It was not a political donation,” he added.
As for the “settlement” allegation, the businessperson stated that, in addition to having two top executives from his company as witnesses, he also possesses WhatsApp screenshots to substantiate the claim.
The latest allegation comes in the wake of MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki announcing on Jan 25 that the commission has completed its probe into the scandal.
Previously, Hajiji denied any wrongdoing on the part of his administration, saying the corruption allegations were an attempt to tarnish his and the state government’s reputation ahead of the state polls. - Mkini

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