Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin is turning up the heat on the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, calling an alleged corruption scandal within its ranks “increasingly difficult to deny.”

Bung, in a statement late on Monday, pointed to a Malaysiakini exposé implicating Sabah Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif. 

The report, he said, suggests that the GRS leaders were willing to fabricate narratives to protect their positions.

“I am deeply disappointed after reading Malaysiakini today. It reveals an attempt by the GRS government to slander Umno assemblymen,” Bung said. “This action is not only unethical but disgraceful. Those involved will do anything—even fabricate scripts—just to stay in power.”

Bung demanded an explanation from Arifin, who also serves as the state’s Islamic Affairs Exco, over his alleged involvement in preparing a script linking Umno leaders to the scandal.

“The viral video exposing corruption among Sabah assemblymen is becoming harder to deny.

“The public is beginning to see the truth, and only the most loyal party supporters are still trying to defend what has already been exposed,” he said.

He urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to take swift action against those responsible.

The Malaysiakini report alleges that Arifin attempted to silence a whistleblower in the state’s mining scandal. 

This follows a series of leaked videos in December 2024, implicating multiple GRS leaders, including State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, and Assistant Minister Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy.

It is noted that Shahelmy and Andi are both Sabah Umno members.

The videos, which surfaced online, allegedly show discussions about payments and project allocations linked to mining activities. The MACC has since launched an investigation.

Bung warned that GRS is on a sinking ship, accusing its leadership of “justifying any means necessary to retain power.”

“The vessel they are aboard is already leaking. It’s only a matter of time before it sinks,” he said.

Meanwhile, Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking has also taken a swipe at the GRS leaders, stating that its leaders are probably scrambling for excuses to justify an alleged corruption scandal.

In a statement on social media, Leiking sarcastically remarked that the usual response would be to blame the opposition, before resorting to a familiar defense—reframing the scandal as a case of sumbangan (donation) rather than rasuah (bribery).

“Maybe that’s why investigators are busy searching through Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka for the definition of ‘corruption’ and what exactly qualifies as a ‘donation,’” he quipped.

He is referring to the term donation which isn’t illegal in politics.

Leiking pointed to a whistleblower’s claim that the money in question was not a political donation, a claim that directly contradicts the defense put forward by those implicated.

“The video evidence is clear. It reminds me of the old Buku 555—only now, in the modern era, it has been rebranded as Buku TERIMA,” he said, referring to the iconic notebook used in informal financial dealings.

He also took aim at the authorities for failing to act swiftly.

“People are asking why, after all the revelations, there have been no arrests. Only investigations, but no remand,” he said.

Leiking’s remarks come amid mounting pressure on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to take action following leaked videos purportedly showing high-ranking GRS figures discussing project allocations and financial transactions.

GRS leaders have yet to respond to his statement at the point of writing. — February 3, 2025.