Malaysia’s anti-graft agency has ruled that a video allegedly implicating a Sabah assemblyman in bribery is not credible and cannot be used as evidence, Bernama reports. 

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) recently recorded statements from five witnesses, including a Sabah politician, over the corruption allegations.

These actions follow the emergence of videos alleging misconduct in awarding state projects, but forensic analysis found that the videos had been edited and were inadmissible in investigations or court.

“We have submitted this video to MACC’s forensic division. The latest report shows that the eight videos published by the portal cannot be used as evidence due to editing, and they also lack credibility for investigations or court proceedings,” said MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki after appearing on RTM’s Bicara Naratif programme in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

A news portal recently released several video recordings allegedly showing a state assemblyman receiving large sums of money in exchange for supporting a company’s project application in the state.

Azam said the whistleblower behind the videos had yet to provide any evidence to MACC.

He also stated that MACC respects press freedom and has no plans to summon the portal that published the videos.

Azam had previously said MACC was investigating two cases—one involving the whistleblower and another related to state assembly members.

MACC had earlier said that the assemblymen were summoned following graft allegations involving a businessman linked to mineral project procurement in the state.

The commission also urged the public not to speculate and to allow authorities to complete their investigation transparently and thoroughly. – February 16, 2025