As more ‘whistleblower’ videos surface, Masidi slams them as character assassination

KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun says the latest videos implicating him and other Sabah assemblymen in an alleged mining scandal are specifically intended as character assassination.

“I am shocked how some people can go all out to malign others with lies and character assassination,” the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) secretary-general said on Tuesday (Dec 3) when contacted, adding that the videos of him had been edited. .

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According to the videos on an online news portal, a man believed to be the businessman involved was heard giving a “recap” of previous funds handed to officials pertaining to mining or prospecting licences.

They were heard allegedly discussing matters relating to other funds that were asked to be put on hold owing to controversies surrounding the issue.

Masidi, who is also state Finance Minister, said he did not remember such a conversation.

“What I remember is that the person offered to donate to the party and I responded that there was no need to do so,” he said.

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“There was no such fund of RM300,000 that was (supposedly) given through my special officer,” he said, adding that he welcomed any investigation of the matter.

Masidi, the Karanaan assemblyman, said he is prepared to give his full cooperation should such a probe be conducted.

Apart from Masidi, others implicated include Membakut assemblyman Datuk Dr Arifin Arif, Sinduman assemblyman Datuk Yusof Yacob, Kalabakan MP Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (the state Assistant Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister) and Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah.

When contacted, Yusof declined to comment and said the matter has been handed to the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to handle.

“Already handed (statement) to the SPRM (MACC). No comment,” he said in a text message.

Efforts to contact Ariffin for comments are ongoing.

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The Star has reached out to Arifin and Andi for comment. It is also learnt that Andi has given a statement to the MACC.

Five videos surfaced on Tuesday, bringing the total of “whistleblower” clips shared so far to eight.

The state leaders implicated also include Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Works Minister Datuk Seri Shahelmey Yahya and Kemabong assemblyman Datuk Rubin Balang.

The crux of the case revolves around the state government’s approval of prospecting and mining licences to the company linked to the businessman.

The state government was said to have subsequently withdrawn the licences, triggering a conflict with the businessman.

He allegedly took secret videos demanding his money back from certain leaders or their alleged proxies.