Sabah corruption: 'I fear that it might end up as a chicken and egg situation'
If the whistleblower's allegations were true, corruption could be one of the reasons why Sabah remained one of the poorest states and regions in Malaysia.
SHAH ALAM - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must immediately launch an investigation into the revelation made by a whistleblower regarding an alleged corruption scandal video involving eight assemblymen, including the leadership of the Sabah state government.
The video was recently circulated on social media.
Sabah Umno chief political secretary Ir Abdul Aziz Julkarnain said the action was necessary because accepting and giving bribes were against the moral and legal framework of the country, including the MACC Act and it involved public interest.
He urged the MACC to immediately launch an investigation into the matter, even though no formal reports have been lodged so far.
"I believe the MACC should open an investigation as the whistleblower's allegations must have a solid basis and involve many parties, not just eight assemblymen but also high-ranking leaders of the Sabah state government.
"Moreover, the whistleblower claimed to have already sent information related to the corruption case involving high-profile political leaders in Sabah to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, for further action," he told Sinar.
Aziz also said he had anticipated that the Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob would deny his involvement in the case.
"If the recording only contains the voices of one or two individuals, it is easy to deny, but if it involves many individuals, up to eight, it becomes difficult to refute.
"My only concern is that this revelation might end up as just a "chicken and egg" situation and ultimately be ignored.
"Therefore, I hope the MACC will not remain silent and will conduct a thorough investigation, even though the information provided by the whistleblower may or may not be true or defamatory," he said.
Aziz expressed concerns that this issue could become a "pandemic" in society if not addressed swiftly by the MACC.
He noted that if the whistleblower's allegations were true, corruption could be one of the reasons why Sabah remained one of the poorest states and regions in Malaysia.
"Thus, I do not rule out the possibility that poverty in Sabah is linked to political leaders who were elected and entrusted with the responsibility of developing the socio-economy of this state betraying the mandate given by the people.
"Therefore, even though we do not know whether the elected representatives mentioned in the audio recordings are the bribe givers or receivers, I believe this "pandemic" or disease of corruption must be stopped immediately and severe punishment must be imposed on those involved," he added.
