Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has been questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in connection with an ongoing probe into alleged bribery linked to a controversial mining deal — but investigators have indicated he is not directly tied to the contents of the videos.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said Hajiji was among those who gave a statement “early on,” stressing that the agency is being transparent in its investigations.
“He cooperated from the beginning. We took his statement… even the Chief Minister was called in,” Azam told reporters in a dialogue with Sabah media practitioners in Kota Kinabalu, on Thursday.
While declining to reveal the nature of Hajiji’s statement, Azam added: “Rest assured, he was not involved in the videos.”
The leaked videos, allegedly claiming money was being offered to eight Sabah assemblymen, first surfaced on Malaysiakini last year and have since become the focal point of the investigation.
MACC however deemed these videos lacked credibilty and could not be used as evidence in court.
But purportedly 10 full videos were eventually presented to MACC and is now undergoing forensic tests.
Towards this end, Azam said that all eight assemblymen have been recalled for questioning and were shown the new videos to explain their remarks in them.
“We need to establish what really happened. Was money offered? If so, was it a bribe or just a contribution? These are key questions,” he said.
Azam also confirmed State Assembly Speaker Datuk Kadzim Yahya is also part of the same investigation.
The original batch of eight videos had earlier been ruled inadmissible in court after forensic experts found they were heavily edited, with signs of audio manipulation and visual splicing.
A second batch of 10 videos — which are believed to be the unedited versions — is now undergoing detailed analysis by MACC’s forensics unit to check for possible doctoring, including frame breaks, superimposed audio and other enhancements.
Azam stressed that the forensic team, certified by the Department of Standards Malaysia, has been instructed to expedite the process.
“We’re waiting for the forensic results. These videos are longer and each needs to be carefully examined,” he said.
He also clarified that businessman Albert Tei, who made the videos public, is not considered a whistleblower.
“He never lodged a formal complaint with us. He has given his statement, but we will call him again to furnish several documents we require to support his claims,” Azam said.
He noted Tei had also had several sessions with the graft buster officials and had also been called in again to furnish them with some documents to assist in the investigation. – April 10, 2025
