The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has completed recording the statements of 18 assemblymen linked to mineral licensing corruption scandal in Sabah, said MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

Five of them believed to be those who had been reported previously to have voluntarily come forward to provide their accounts on the case.

The case files have been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor for further action, said Azam.

“We have concluded the investigation, but the deputy public prosecutor has directed us to complete a few more statements,” Azam said during a press conference in Putrajaya on Tuesday.

“We’ve taken statements from all involved, including the businessman and the assemblymen. By February, I will personally announce the latest developments,” he added.

The investigation stems from video recordings showing a businessman negotiating with assemblymen to support a company’s project proposal.

The businessman, who claims to be a whistleblower, implicated several politicians, including those holding senior ministerial positions in Sabah.

Two investigation papers have been opened under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009, which deals with bribery allegations.

According to Azam, the probe involves two separate cases: one concerning the whistleblower and a former senior official, and the other focusing on eight state assemblymen accused of corruption.

“The Sabah police also investigated the whistleblower and former official, and their findings have been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor,” he said.

Azam also revealed that investigators have yet to receive the original video recordings related to the case.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. – January 21, 2025.