Graft exposés: MACC records statement from Sabah DCM, two reps
MACC has begun investigating the recent viral videos implicating several Sabah state assemblypersons in alleged corruption, Malaysiakini learned.
Kemabong state representative Rubin Balang, who is one of those implicated in the recordings, said he has been called up by the anti-graft agency to answer questions regarding allegations involving him.
"MACC has (started) its investigation...
MACC has begun investigating the recent viral videos implicating several Sabah state assemblypersons in alleged corruption, Malaysiakini learned.
Malaysiakini this morning reported that the MACC had taken Kemabong state representative Rubin Balang’s statement.
The Star later reported that the MACC had also taken statements from Deputy Chief Minister Shahelmy Yahya and Tempasuk assemblyperson Arsad Bistari.
The whistleblower had released excerpts of three incriminating videos each featuring one of the three questioned by the MACC.
Earlier, Rubin said he had been called up by the anti-graft agency to answer questions regarding allegations involving him.
“MACC has (started) its investigation on me regarding the viral issue.
“I think it would be inappropriate for me to make any comment for now,” Rubin (above) said in a text message to Malaysiakini, adding that investigators had recorded his statement yesterday.
The chairperson of the state-owned Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) was responding to a request for a response to an allegation of corruption.
In yet another disclosure, the whistleblower behind the video recordings accused Rubin of receiving a coal mining licence in 2023 as a reward for supporting Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.
The licence was allegedly given to a company called Wawasan Pembangunan Desa Permai Sdn Bhd on July 14, 2022, during which time Rubin was its majority shareholder, it was claimed.
It was also alleged that the licence approval was a conflict of interest as Rubin holds a minister-level position as Sedco chairperson.
READ MORE: Sabah reps' alleged corruption videos: What has happened so far
Rubin was appointed to the position on Dec 5, 2020, less than three months after he won the Kemabong seat.
This allegation was a continuation of a video the whistleblower had unveiled on Wednesday, which showed Rubin saying that Hajiji had granted him “one” when he asked for “two” but is “grateful” nevertheless.
Malaysiakini has reached out to Hajiji and the Sabah Chief Minister's Office for a response to the allegation.
Contradiction
Rubin’s statement that he has been called up by the MACC, however, appeared to contradict what its chief commissioner Azam Baki told the media yesterday.
Azam reiterated that the MACC had not received official complaints from the whistleblower, and they could not investigate by relying on assumptions based on viral videos.
“To say MACC should start its investigation, what is there to investigate?
“Supposedly, (what is) going viral on social media is that (the recording of the videos) happened in Sabah and so forth…
“I myself don’t know if that is what is meant (by asking MACC to investigate). MACC cannot make any assumption,” he said, as reported by Bernama.
READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Whistleblower Protection Act 2010: What does it cover?
Azam also questioned the whistleblower’s motive for providing Malaysiakini with high-quality video recordings but only furnished the commission with a 17-second “kurang jelas” (not clear) audio clip.
