Latheefa Koya on Sabah scandal: A case of clear corruption

Latheefa Koya on Sabah scandal: A case of clear corruption





FORMER Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya has called for an urgent legal scrutiny of the Sabah assemblymen video scandal, arguing that the evidence presented unequivocally points to corruption rather than political donation.

According to her, the videos show assemblymen admitting to receiving money from a businessman in exchange for facilitating mining exploration licenses and providing political support to Sabah Chief Minister (CM) Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

Latheefa stressed that these acts meet the definition of “gratification” under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009, which prohibits any benefit given in exchange for official action. She dismissed the defence of “political donation” as an attempt to obscure blatant corruption, emphasising that such payments cannot legally justify quid pro quo arrangements.


“Hajiji has insinuated that it was just a case of political donation, which is not prohibited by the law. This is absurd and turns the law of corruption in Malaysia upside down.

“Let me explain why. The videos show clearly a few assemblymen confirming that they have received money from a businessman in exchange for support to obtain mining exploration license from the Sabah CM. These assemblymen in return would give political support for Hajiji.

“On the face of it, this is clear evidence of corruption. It completely satisfies the definition of ‘gratification’ under s 23 of the MACC Act 2009. One cannot escape prosecution for corruption by hiding gratification under the cloak of ‘political donation’.

“This is the fundamental point in the Sabah corruption scandal that must not be forgotten, despite all the attempts to cloud the issue,” she wrote on X today.

She also criticised the government’s lack of action, particularly the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s focus on whistleblower protection rather than initiating a thorough investigation.

“The whistleblower deserves immediate protection, but the bigger issue here is high-level corruption implicating state officials,” she said.

Latheefa argued that the inaction sends a troubling signal that powerful political allies can evade accountability, further eroding public trust in Malaysia’s justice system. She concluded by urging authorities to launch a swift and comprehensive investigation, leaving no stone unturned.

“This is ocular proof of corruption, and the law must take its course without fear or favour,” she added.

Failure to act decisively, she warned, risks undermining the rule of law and perpetuating impunity for corruption in Malaysia. — Dec 21, 2024