'Asked for two, got one, still grateful' - whistleblower exposes rep's video
EXCLUSIVE | The whistleblower who claims to have incriminating videos of Sabah assemblypersons has revealed a new recording of veteran politician Rubin Balang.
However, the whistleblower told Malaysiakini that he did not bribe the Kemabong assemblyperson in the video. It was a negotiation to use a firm in his children’s name for a mining project after the whistleblower’s earlier licence was rescinded.
During the conversation, Rubin also spoke about other matters.
Among them, he disclosed that Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor granted him “one” when he asked for “two” but is “grateful” nevertheless.
Rubin, who is the chairperson of state-owned Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco), did not specify what the “one” or “two” were but according to the subtitles it referred to licences.
The video started with the whistleblower making light conversation about how difficult it is to be a YB (elected representative) before Rubin began to complain. He referred to his son Riduan, who is the Tenom MP, as an example.
“Riduan is also a YB, no positions, no income, just the salary,” he said.
In the 2018 general election, Rubin won the Tenom federal seat, which encompasses the Kemabong state seat, before moving back to the state in the 2020 state election. His son became the Tenom MP in the last general election. Both father and son contested as independent candidates.
When asked if no GLC chairperson post was given to his son, Rubin replied: “No, nothing at all.”
The whistleblower then pointed out that Riduan is a “bebas” or independent candidate, who were “expensive” in the past. This alluded to independent elected representatives being offered rewards in exchange for their support.
Rubin replied: “Yes, but nothing.”
‘RM3 million? Wasting my time’
At that point, Rubin also recalled what transpired during the tussle for the prime minister’s post between Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim and Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin.
“We signed asking to give it (the prime minister post) to Muhyiddin, but nothing was given in return. We signed (for) him. Signed to give him support.
“… Muhyiddin did not become PM, then we went (supported) for PMX (Anwar),” he added.
Following this, Rubin appeared to suggest that he was not favoured when Muhyiddin was the prime minister despite being a long-time supporter.
“Back then, Muhyiddin, two secretaries, gave to others. I was his ‘person’ for a long time, but he gave to others,” he added, without elaborating.
The assemblyperson then talked about “someone returning” to Sabah and telling him to ask for “batu arang” (coal mining licence). Malaysiakini understands that the “someone” is a close family member.
“He (the family member) made the proposal during (the time of the) BN government (itself). (Former chief minister) Musa Aman (from BN) did not give. We asked for that ‘thing’ (coal).
“It is not a new thing, right? Ask my son. He proposed from way back, it is our company,” he added, complaining that it was difficult during the “Musa season”.
Purportedly referring to when Hajiji became chief minister, Rubin said: “When Hajiji (became chief minister), we asked him to sign. I asked for two.”
“It has been a long time that we (have been waiting) to claim this ‘barang’ (coal mining licence). So he gave (me) one. He told me one is enough, I told him okay, that is enough. (I am) grateful that he gave,” he added.
In the second part of the video, the whistleblower talked about “taking over the licence”. During this portion, the camera angle appeared to have shifted and Rubin’s face was not completely visible.
The whistleblower stated that if the “licence is taken over”, there are two issues which must be addressed.
“First, Datuk must guarantee that we can enter. If we cannot enter, the licence becomes useless. Second, (if) we take over the licence, we have to change companies.
“I checked Datuk’s company, I saw your children’s names but a few months before that, it was your name,” he added.
Rubin explained that he resigned because he was appointed as the chairperson of Sedco.
“I had to resign because the CM appointed me with minister status. I get everything a minister does, a minister’s pay, I have all of it,” he added.
Rubin then asked the whistleblower for “their proposal”, to which the whistleblower replied: “We buy for RM3 million.”
“We buy (over the company) completely for RM3 million. We just want to buy the quota, the quota for the licence. But we don’t want the company…
“However, Datuk must guarantee that we can enter the area…,” he said but was cut off.
“RM3 million? RM3 million? That is all? Wasting my time,” Rubin replied.
READ MORE: 'No elements of graft', Sabah rep says after being implicated in video
Contacted by Malaysiakini, Rubin refused to comment, stating that the matter could go to court.
Malaysiakini has also contacted Hajiji for comment.
Yesterday, the chief minister said the videos of state assemblypersons discussing money had nothing to do with him.
He also vowed that his administration would give its fullest cooperation if MACC launched an investigation but at the same time called for the arrest of the whistleblower.
* Additional reporting by Hariz Mohd.
Lolol so sad, tried to buy a project that probably didn’t exist. Now mad, wants to burn bridges. I can’t help but laugh at all these people trying to wiggle their way into shady businesses.