Why No Further Charges In Sabah Scandal Asks Shafie

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As the next Sabah state election nears, Warisan president Shafie Apdal has questioned why more individuals are not charged in connection with the mining licence corruption scandal.
Speaking during a function in his constituency yesterday, the Semporna MP alluded to the series of videos leaked by a whistleblower, businessperson Albert Tei, that implicated Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and several Gabungan Rakyat Sabah assemblypersons.
“It is not me talking… but there are videos. The videos are not of Warisan assemblypersons, but GRS,” he said.
The former Sabah chief minister noted that so far only two state assemblypersons have been charged in connection with the case, along with Tei.
“The nine others, why were they not charged?” he questioned.
ADS“I used to be the rural development minister, and I was accused of stealing money. One billion!
“They (MACC) came to my house and found no money. They checked my bank accounts and found nothing. They gave me the orange (lock-up) outfit.
“I slept on the floor. Was there a case? There was no case! (But) the one who’s accused now wears a suit!” said the Warisan president, referring to his time as a former Umno federal minister.
‘Bribes for licences’
Since November last year, the whistleblower has released a series of video recordings and messages purportedly showing Sabah lawmakers, including the state assembly speaker, involved in corrupt dealings.
The whistleblower claimed he had paid bribes to obtain mineral exploration licences but decided to come forward after the licences were revoked.
In response, Hajiji accused the whistleblower of colluding with parties seeking to destabilise his administration.
The whistleblower, meanwhile, faced counter-allegations of attempting to monopolise the state’s mining sector through fraudulent means. - Mkini

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