Latest news with #MalaysianAnti-CorruptionCommission
The Star
01-07-2025
- The Star
Businessman in Sabah graft case says he's a small fry
KOTA KINABALU: Two Sabah assemblymen, who have been charged with corruption along with a businessman, have vowed to clear their names in court following what they called 'intense humiliation in the media'. Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sinduman) and Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (Tanjung Batu) said they are determined to prove their innocence and restore their reputations through the legal system. The two, along with Selangor-based businessman Datuk Albert Tei Jiann Cheing, 37, appeared before judge Jason Juga to face separate charges under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 yesterday. All three pleaded not guilty at the Special Corruption Court to charges of receiving and giving bribes totalling RM350,000 in relation to mineral prospecting licence applications. According to the charge sheets, Dr Yusof, 69, who is also the Qhazanah Sabah Bhd chairman, allegedly received RM200,000 in cash from Tei on March 6, 2023, at 2pm at a hotel restaurant here as inducement to facilitate the approval of a prospecting licence for Nusa Kini Sdn Bhd to explore minerals in Sabah. Andi, 44, was accused of accepting RM150,000 in cash from Tei on May 12, 2023, outside his residence here for assisting with the prospecting licence application of Sinaran Hayat Sdn Bhd. Tei, meanwhile, was charged with giving bribes to both assemblymen in relation to the same licence applications. All three face jail terms of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher. Juga fixed Aug 5 for mention and granted all the accused bail. The two assemblymen were each released on court bail of RM50,000, with RM10,000 deposited under one local surety, while Tei was released on RM60,000 bail, with RM15,000 deposited under one local surety, for both charges. They were also instructed to report to the nearest MACC office once every two months and surrender their passports to the court. All three paid the bail. Asked about his position as Assistant Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, Andi declined to comment. 'Let's just wait for instructions,' he said. Tei, meanwhile, claimed he was a 'small fry' caught in a net for bigger fish and called for action against the 'sharks' he said 'are still swimming free'. 'I have been charged, but what about the rest? Why only charge the 'ikan bilis' (anchovies) while the sharks are still out there?' he asked. Andi also accused the authorities of sending a 'poisonous signal' to Malaysians by charging him, the whistleblower, instead of protecting him. 'I am not afraid. I will fight this in court,' he said. Tei's lawyer Edward Paul said it was unusual that the complainant in the case was also charged alongside the receivers. He also said they would get former MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya to join their legal team for the case. The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutors Rustam Sanip and Nurul Izzati Sapifiee.
The Star
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
PM: No prosecution without proof
KOTA KINABALU: Stating that he is not a dictator, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said while he has a duty to maintain peace and uphold law, it is not to the extent of prosecuting without proof and going through the proper procedures. 'I want to be straightforward: What's the use of saying nice things that sound good? 'What I want to say here is (about) those videos that were circulated, I did not want to get involved. 'But when things heated up, of course I will ask the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) about it,' the Prime Minister said, assuring that thorough investigations are ongoing in this case. He was commenting on videos implicating state ministers and assemblymen, accusing them of allegedly receiving bribes in the controversial mining prospecting scandal in Sabah. Anwar said people had started to question why he did not intervene and made it sound as if he was trying to help cover up the alleged corruption. 'But I am not a dictator. We are not a country of perception. These things cannot be handled based on perception, accusation and slander,' Anwar said when opening the Kaamatan Festival, held at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association yesterday. The Prime Minister also said that when fighting for state rights or asking for allocations, those who choose to work closely with the Federal Government can achieve more. 'For example in the PETRONAS and Petros Sarawak issue, we discussed properly with Abang Jo (Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg) and came to a solution,' he said. Anwar said the Federal Govern-ment has no intention of stopping anyone or any state from being independent, and he has no issue giving Sabah and Sarawak more in terms of its revenue, including its oil and gas. 'However, we discuss and have close working relations rather than winning an argument by shouting and cursing,' he said. Anwar said the government would always listen to views and requests from Sabah be it for infrastructure, social or economic developments. He said the Federal Government has done much to bring peace, prosperity and development to Sabah and its people, adding that it was good working relations with the state that had brought about this success. 'This is not about (the upcoming state) election but about our responsibility and protecting our harmony. 'The state-federal relations must be maintained well,' said Anwar. He said for the 13th Malaysia Plan, the inclusion of Sabah and other states into development plans and initiatives were part of the main agenda.
