Sabah corruption scandal: Bung Moktar dismisses BN, Umno's alleged role
He called for a swift and thorough investigation into the matter, focusing on both those giving and receiving bribes.
KUALA LUMPUR - Sabah Umno Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has strongly denied accusations linking Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno to a corruption scandal involving several state assembly members.
He called for a swift and thorough investigation into the matter, focusing on both those giving and receiving bribes.
“Because right now, I see the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leaders accusing that there are bribe-givers. So, if there are bribe-givers, that means there are also people being bribed, meaning both sides need to be investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“Solve it, investigate it. We want the MACC to investigate immediately because it is causing distrust among the people of Sabah. Many blogs are painting various stories, including linking Umno as the mastermind behind the circulation of this hot news.
“Umno is not involved at all in this scandal and I strongly deny it,” he said.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor recently voiced the state government’s willingness to cooperate with the MACC and called for an investigation into the scandal circulating widely.
Hajiji mentioned that the MACC prioritises investigating the bribe-givers, suggesting that some parties involved may have malicious intentions to gain benefits from the government.
The controversy erupted after a 17-second video clip was shared online, allegedly featuring a Sabah assemblyman in conversation with a contractor requesting the return of funds following the government’s cancellation of the project.
The voice is claimed to belong to Sindumin State Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, with seven other Umno assemblymen also implicated in the scandal.
Yusof, however, has denied any involvement, alleging that he is a victim of artificial intelligence (AI) manipulation.
Further addressing the matter, Bung Moktar commented that all assemblymen suspected of involvement should be investigated, even if claims of AI manipulation are made.
“Let the people of Sabah know the real cause and what actually happened. Any assemblymen involved should be summoned and investigated so that this issue can be resolved promptly,” he said.
