Deputy Chief Minister Denies Involvement in Alleged Sabah Mining Scandal

Strategic Insights -

Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president and Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, has come under fire in an alleged mining scandal that has seen charges against two state assemblymen over corruption involving mining licences. Kitingan has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that videos implicating him are the work of 'hidden hands' seeking to weaken and destabilise the local ruling coalition. The scandal has also implicated high-level Cabinet ministers and a State Assembly speaker, with 15 state assemblymen implicated in the video series so far.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kitingan denied any wrongdoing and claimed that videos implicating him are the work of 'hidden hands' seeking to destabilise the local ruling coalition.
  • He questioned the timing and motives behind the scandal, which has led to charges against two state assemblymen over corruption involving mining licences.
  • The Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president said the party would lodge a police report and consider its next steps in response to the allegations.
  • Kitingan admitted to meeting businessman Albert Tei, who was charged in court yesterday for offering bribes to two assemblymen, but denied receiving any money linked to the Sabah mining scandal.
  • He said his party had never applied for any mining licence nor been involved in mining activities, and that the allegations against him were baseless and politically motivated.
  • Kitingan stated that the allegations have actually strengthened his party's political strategy, and that they will not be pressured into making political decisions based on public speculation.
  • The scandal has implicated some 15 state assemblymen, including high-level Cabinet ministers and a State Assembly speaker, with the videos released in waves, possibly as punishment 'when we don't bow to them or whatever'.

Statistics:

  • 15 state assemblymen implicated in the video series so far,
  • 2 state assemblymen charged over corruption involving mining licences,
  • RM1.78 million linked to the Sabah mining scandal allegedly received by Kitingan (denied by Kitingan),
  • Kitingan met businessman Albert Tei around the time the video was taken, coinciding with a parliamentary pre-council in Kuala Lumpur.

Sources:

  • Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan's statement to the press on the alleged Sabah mining scandal,
  • Malaysian news portal's report on Kitingan's alleged involvement in the Sabah mining scandal,
  • Albert Tei's court appearance for offering bribes to two assemblymen.