logo
Sabah mining: MACC must restore public confidence, says Bersatu women's chief

Sabah mining: MACC must restore public confidence, says Bersatu women's chief

The Star15-06-2025
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must take immediate steps to restore public confidence by ensuring transparency in its Sabah mining scandal probe, says Sabah Bersatu Women chief Rahimah Majid.
Rahimah said that the commission should provide a public update on the status of investigations involving all individuals named by the whistleblower and urgently introduce external oversight, either through a Parliamentary Select Committee on Corruption or the creation of an Independent Anti-Corruption Ombudsman.
"These steps are essential to rebuild trust. Malaysians deserve full clarity on who is being investigated, and they need to see that no one is above the law," she asserted.
Her remarks follow MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki's recent statement confirming that at least two individuals are expected to be charged soon in connection with alleged bribery tied to a controversial mining project in Sabah.
However, the whistleblower who initially exposed the scandal claims that at least eight other individuals were involved, raising serious concerns about the completeness of the current investigations.
"The people must be assured that justice is being applied fairly. It's troubling if only a few individuals are held accountable when more names have reportedly been submitted to the MACC," she said.
She stressed that the scandal extends beyond state-level politics, highlighting it as a national test of Malaysia's commitment to transparency, accountability, and equal justice.
"Sabahans are watching. Malaysians are watching. Justice must not be selective. This is not just about one case; it is about whether our institutions can be trusted to act impartially," she added.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Consumer credit law risks squeezing poorer households further, says think tank
Consumer credit law risks squeezing poorer households further, says think tank

Focus Malaysia

time21 minutes ago

  • Focus Malaysia

Consumer credit law risks squeezing poorer households further, says think tank

THE Institute for Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (INSAP) has applauded recent the passing of the Consumer Credit Bill 2025 (CCB) by the Dewan Rakyat. However, its chairman Datuk Dr Pamela Yong cautioned that while the CCB is a milestone in efforts to regulate Malaysia's expanding consumer credit market, legislation alone will not resolve the structural issues pushing Malaysians, particularly the youth and informal workers, into cycles of debt. 'The Bill's introduction of a dedicated Consumer Credit Commission (CCC) to oversee previously unregulated credit providers and enhance consumer protection is a positive step,' she remarked. '(But) without wider economic reforms, this law may unintentionally tighten credit access for low- and middle-income groups already struggling with stagnant wages, high living costs and shrinking financial buffer.' As of December 2024, Malaysia's household debt stood at RM1.63 tril, representing 84.2% of GDP, which is the highest in Southeast Asia according to Bank Negara Malaysia. This reflects the growing reliance on short-term credit to cope with volatile income and essential spending, especially as the economy transitions from stable industrial jobs to more precarious service roles. At the same time, new fiscal measures such as petrol subsidy rationalisation and sales and services tax (SST) expansion have increased pressure on household budgets. The think tank went on to warn that layering new compliance costs on credit providers may inadvertently make credit more expensive or inaccessible, especially for the very groups the law intends to protect young adults, gig workers and financially excluded households. It also highlighted the importance of institutional clarity, regulatory independence and accountability for the CCC. Clear frameworks must govern leadership appointments, scope of powers and stakeholder engagement to ensure transparency and public trust. Crucially, INSAP stressed that any reform of the credit ecosystem must be matched by real structural policies that raise income security and job quality, control the cost of essential goods and services, and expand access to financial literacy and consumer rights education. 'The CCB must not become a regulatory plaster over a deeper economic wound. Without bold reforms to tackle inequality and economic insecurity, Malaysians will continue to borrow just to survive, no matter how well-regulated the system becomes,' Dr Yong added. ‒ July 25, 2025 Main image: Pexels/Anna Shvets

Fuziah: Govt to monitor petrol stations closely as RON95 subsidy revamp looms
Fuziah: Govt to monitor petrol stations closely as RON95 subsidy revamp looms

Malay Mail

timean hour ago

  • Malay Mail

Fuziah: Govt to monitor petrol stations closely as RON95 subsidy revamp looms

ALOR SETAR, July 25 — Proactive monitoring will be carried out at all petrol stations to prevent any misuse in the purchase of subsidised RON95 petrol by consumers when the petrol subsidy rationalisation exercise is implemented, said the Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh. She said the ministry is anticipating various possibilities that will require enforcement officers to be more vigilant during inspections. '…KPDN has already considered all these possibilities. For instance, a single MyKad is being used repeatedly. These are among the issues we are aware of and are looking into ways to address,' she said after taking part in an Op Kesan 4.0 inspection at a supermarket here today. She said the use of MyKad ensures that Malaysians enjoy subsidies and allows the government to track any unusual purchases or instances of RON95 petrol being pumped beyond the allowable limit for a single vehicle. Fuziah said purchase records can help the authorities detect unusual fuel transactions, enabling action to be taken, stressing that KPDN will remain vigilant in identifying any instances of leakage or misuse. '…it won't be possible to make excessive purchases, as we can detect if a MyKad is being used repeatedly, morning, noon, and night, based on the records in the system,' she said. On the Op Kesan 4.0, which was launched following the revision of the sales tax rates and the expansion of the service tax (SST) rates effective July 1, Fuziah said 950 premises were inspected, involving 3,965 stock-keeping units (SKUs) nationwide. Of that number, 950 price information notices were issued under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723), she said, adding that 23 complaints were received for further investigation. Op Kesan 4.0 aims to prevent traders from taking advantage by raising prices unreasonably or engaging in profiteering under the pretext of the SST adjustments. — Bernama

KPDN monitors petrol stations to prevent RON95 subsidy misuse
KPDN monitors petrol stations to prevent RON95 subsidy misuse

The Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Sun

KPDN monitors petrol stations to prevent RON95 subsidy misuse

ALOR SETAR: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will intensify monitoring at petrol stations nationwide to curb potential misuse of subsidised RON95 petrol once the fuel subsidy rationalisation takes effect. Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh stated that enforcement teams are prepared to tackle irregularities, including repeated MyKad usage for excessive purchases. Fuziah highlighted that the MyKad system will help track unusual fuel transactions, ensuring subsidies benefit only eligible Malaysians. 'We can detect if a single MyKad is used multiple times in a day through system records, preventing excessive claims,' she said after an Op Kesan 4.0 inspection at a local supermarket. The operation, launched following recent sales and service tax adjustments, has inspected 950 premises nationwide, covering 3,965 stock-keeping units. Authorities issued 950 price notices under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, with 23 complaints under investigation. Fuziah reiterated that KPDN remains vigilant against profiteering and price manipulation by traders exploiting tax changes. - Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store