Whistleblower's latest: 'Sakit hati' over RM70m deal, 'broke' finance minister
RK Anand
Published: Nov 14, 2024 8:32 PM
Updated: Nov 15, 2024 1:51 AM
The whistleblower at the heart of a corruption scandal in Sabah has released a new video, where a state assemblyperson complains about a lucrative project being blocked.
Malaysiakini understands this clip is an edited version of a longer recording of a discussion between the whistleblower and Tempasuk assemblyperson Mohd Arsad Bistari.
The whistleblower claimed that the edited version does not contain the part where the pair talked about the money that purportedly changed hands for the assemblyperson to support the whistleblower’s project in the state.
In the recording, the conversation centred around projects that are being “disekat” (blocked) by someone, who is believed to be in reference to Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.
“Apart from my project, you have numerous projects, did he block any of yours?” the whistleblower asked Arsad.
“Many,” replied the 49-year-old politician, who is also the chairperson of Softwoods Sabah Bhd, a firm involved in large-scale commercial tree replanting.
“The recent one in Tenom (district), RM70 million,” he cited as one of the projects “blocked” without elaborating what kind of project it was.
This is when Arsad, whose face was not visible during certain portions, roped in state finance minister Masidi Manjun and attributed the problem to the “old team”.
“RM70 million, I collect 20 percent. How much money (is that)? Three years concession. You don’t think I feel upset (sakit hati)?
“You know how much I spent for the division heads on the ground,” he added. It is unclear if the 20 percent referred to kickbacks.
Malaysiakini was informed that the above project is not related to the whistleblower’s mining licence.
‘Old team is the problem’
Asked if Hajiji had promised to give him the project, but retracted it from behind the scenes, Arsad replied: “... The problem is the old team. Masidi Manjun has taken over.”
Arsad then explained the changes that occurred since the chief minister appointed the veteran Masidi, who like Hajiji went from Umno, Bersatu to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), as the state finance minister after the 2023 political crisis.
Published: Nov 14, 2024 8:32 PM
Updated: Nov 15, 2024 1:51 AM
The whistleblower at the heart of a corruption scandal in Sabah has released a new video, where a state assemblyperson complains about a lucrative project being blocked.
Malaysiakini understands this clip is an edited version of a longer recording of a discussion between the whistleblower and Tempasuk assemblyperson Mohd Arsad Bistari.
The whistleblower claimed that the edited version does not contain the part where the pair talked about the money that purportedly changed hands for the assemblyperson to support the whistleblower’s project in the state.
In the recording, the conversation centred around projects that are being “disekat” (blocked) by someone, who is believed to be in reference to Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.
“Apart from my project, you have numerous projects, did he block any of yours?” the whistleblower asked Arsad.
“Many,” replied the 49-year-old politician, who is also the chairperson of Softwoods Sabah Bhd, a firm involved in large-scale commercial tree replanting.
“The recent one in Tenom (district), RM70 million,” he cited as one of the projects “blocked” without elaborating what kind of project it was.
This is when Arsad, whose face was not visible during certain portions, roped in state finance minister Masidi Manjun and attributed the problem to the “old team”.
“RM70 million, I collect 20 percent. How much money (is that)? Three years concession. You don’t think I feel upset (sakit hati)?
“You know how much I spent for the division heads on the ground,” he added. It is unclear if the 20 percent referred to kickbacks.
Malaysiakini was informed that the above project is not related to the whistleblower’s mining licence.
‘Old team is the problem’
Asked if Hajiji had promised to give him the project, but retracted it from behind the scenes, Arsad replied: “... The problem is the old team. Masidi Manjun has taken over.”
Arsad then explained the changes that occurred since the chief minister appointed the veteran Masidi, who like Hajiji went from Umno, Bersatu to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), as the state finance minister after the 2023 political crisis.
Masidi Manjun
Masidi, who is the Karanaan assemblyperson, is also the secretary-general of the Hajiji-helmed GRS.
Prior to becoming finance minister, he was the state local government and housing minister.
Arsad then alluded that after Masidi took over the finance portfolio, the approach towards big-scale projects had changed.
“Each time there is a meeting to decide on big projects, RM30 million, RM50 million, RM70 million… So Masidi advises him (Hajiji), so that is a problem,” he added.
Arsad also mentioned the term “jolok” which is a colloquial description for offering bribes. However, it could not be ascertained if the politician had implied that someone was given a bribe or if he meant something else.
The assemblyperson also disclosed the names of several individuals, which he described as the “team’.
“This team, me, Gulam, Jasnih, Andi, Samad. Five of us,” he added, which the subtitles claimed referred to Kawang assemblyperson Gulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, Pantai Dalit assemblyperson Jasnih Daya, Lubuk assemblyperson Samad Jambri and the Tanjung Batu assemblyperson Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy.
‘Masidi’s bank balance zero’
Arsad revealed that Masidi, 73, had complained about the state of his finances as well.
“You know what Masidi said?
“‘Before this when Yang Berhormat held (the post), my account was zero, no money. But now, I want to buy a house, I want to finish (building) the house and I want to resign’,” he added, quoting the finance minister, who is a lawyer by training.
The surprised whistleblower responded in a sarcastic tone: “Apa dia tak ada duit? (What do you mean Masidi has no money?)”
Arsad is among a group of Umno assemblypersons who threw their weight behind Hajiji during the political crisis last year after Sabah Umno withdrew its support.
When contacted, Arsad did not deny that the conversation took place.
However, he urged Malaysiakini to stop producing these “viral" stories and to leave the matter to the authorities to investigate.
Masidi, on the other hand, said all projects are handled by the state tender committee headed by the ministry’s permanent secretary Sofian Alfian Nair.
“The minister is not involved in the decision-making process,” he told Malaysiakini.
In the video, Arsad also mentioned Sofian’s name when he was complaining about Masidi.
This is the second video of an assemblyperson and the third the whistleblower has released to Malaysiakini.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini published a video of Kemabong assemblyperson Rubin Balang and the whistleblower negotiating a business deal in relation to a firm belonging to the latter’s children.
The whistleblower said he did not offer bribes to the veteran politician and Rubin also claimed that there is no reason for him to be investigated.
On Tuesday, Malaysiakini published a video of former Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Jontih Enggihon accusing Hajiji of abusing his powers.
He claimed the chief minister had favoured certain businesspersons and assemblypersons.
The whistleblower, who is seeking immunity under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, claims to have eight incriminating videos of assemblypersons.
Masidi, who is the Karanaan assemblyperson, is also the secretary-general of the Hajiji-helmed GRS.
Prior to becoming finance minister, he was the state local government and housing minister.
Arsad then alluded that after Masidi took over the finance portfolio, the approach towards big-scale projects had changed.
“Each time there is a meeting to decide on big projects, RM30 million, RM50 million, RM70 million… So Masidi advises him (Hajiji), so that is a problem,” he added.
Arsad also mentioned the term “jolok” which is a colloquial description for offering bribes. However, it could not be ascertained if the politician had implied that someone was given a bribe or if he meant something else.
The assemblyperson also disclosed the names of several individuals, which he described as the “team’.
“This team, me, Gulam, Jasnih, Andi, Samad. Five of us,” he added, which the subtitles claimed referred to Kawang assemblyperson Gulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, Pantai Dalit assemblyperson Jasnih Daya, Lubuk assemblyperson Samad Jambri and the Tanjung Batu assemblyperson Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy.
‘Masidi’s bank balance zero’
Arsad revealed that Masidi, 73, had complained about the state of his finances as well.
“You know what Masidi said?
“‘Before this when Yang Berhormat held (the post), my account was zero, no money. But now, I want to buy a house, I want to finish (building) the house and I want to resign’,” he added, quoting the finance minister, who is a lawyer by training.
The surprised whistleblower responded in a sarcastic tone: “Apa dia tak ada duit? (What do you mean Masidi has no money?)”
Arsad is among a group of Umno assemblypersons who threw their weight behind Hajiji during the political crisis last year after Sabah Umno withdrew its support.
When contacted, Arsad did not deny that the conversation took place.
However, he urged Malaysiakini to stop producing these “viral" stories and to leave the matter to the authorities to investigate.
Masidi, on the other hand, said all projects are handled by the state tender committee headed by the ministry’s permanent secretary Sofian Alfian Nair.
“The minister is not involved in the decision-making process,” he told Malaysiakini.
In the video, Arsad also mentioned Sofian’s name when he was complaining about Masidi.
This is the second video of an assemblyperson and the third the whistleblower has released to Malaysiakini.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini published a video of Kemabong assemblyperson Rubin Balang and the whistleblower negotiating a business deal in relation to a firm belonging to the latter’s children.
The whistleblower said he did not offer bribes to the veteran politician and Rubin also claimed that there is no reason for him to be investigated.
On Tuesday, Malaysiakini published a video of former Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Jontih Enggihon accusing Hajiji of abusing his powers.
He claimed the chief minister had favoured certain businesspersons and assemblypersons.
The whistleblower, who is seeking immunity under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, claims to have eight incriminating videos of assemblypersons.
He also admitted to giving them bribes, claiming that he was desperate after being told that is the culture in the state.
Hajiji has denied any wrongdoing or involvement. Whereas a MACC and police report have been lodged against Jontih, who has been accused of colluding with the whistleblower.
On Saturday, Malaysiakini reported that it had sighted eight videos of assemblypersons, which also included state ministers, talking about the terms of returning the alleged bribes given to them since the project did not go through.
Malaysiakini also published a 17-second audio clip that the whistleblower’s lawyer had played for MACC during a meeting.
Sabah Umno has denied being linked to the video scandal.
Hajiji has denied any wrongdoing or involvement. Whereas a MACC and police report have been lodged against Jontih, who has been accused of colluding with the whistleblower.
On Saturday, Malaysiakini reported that it had sighted eight videos of assemblypersons, which also included state ministers, talking about the terms of returning the alleged bribes given to them since the project did not go through.
Malaysiakini also published a 17-second audio clip that the whistleblower’s lawyer had played for MACC during a meeting.
Sabah Umno has denied being linked to the video scandal.
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