Kota Kinabalu: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said two Sabah assemblymen and a member of the public are in the process of being charged in connection with the Sabah mining corruption case.
“They will be charged in court this month, could be end of this month,” he said, though he declined to reveal specific dates pending court scheduling.
He said this after officiating the International Conference on Technology, Management and Sustainability (ICTMS 2025) at UiTM Sabah, Wednesday.
The case involves allegations of corruption linked to mineral licensing in Sabah, with viral video recordings allegedly capturing conversations between individuals and state lawmakers.
Azam assured that MACC’s digital forensic analysis had been comprehensive, though he would not comment on the authenticity of the videos as the matter was now subjudice.
“When we investigate, we do not just rely on whether that evidence is authentic or not, but we also need to rely on other evidence,” he said, pointing out that human testimony remained crucial alongside digital evidence.
The two arrested individuals are “Datuks” and allegedly solicited and received bribes amounting to approximately RM200,000 over the issuance of exploration licenses.
The two male suspects, in their 30s and 60s, were detained at around 9.45am and 11.50am, Wednesday while giving their statements at the MACC Sabah office and MACC Headquarters in Putrajaya, respectively.
“The businessman and assemblyman are believed to have committed the offenses between 2023 and 2024.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that both suspects allegedly solicited and received bribes amounting to approximately RM200,000 from each other in exchange for facilitating applications for exploration licenses in the State,” the source said. The case is being investigated under Section 16(b)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.
The businessman was released on a bail of RM100,000 (with a deposit of RM10,000) and two sureties after his statement was recorded.
The assemblyman was also released on bail of RM50,000 with one surety after his statement was taken.
Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob was seen at the Sabah Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters.
Yusof, who is also Qhazanah Sabah chairman, was reportedly summoned to give a statement.
According to sources, he arrived at the Sabah MACC office at the Federal Government Administrative Complex here around 8.45am.
It was not confirmed Dr Yusof is one of two assemblymen summoned.
Meanwhile, the whistleblower in the scandal is expected to be charged on Monday (June 30).
According to an online news portal, the whistleblower’s lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, revealed that his client is set to face charges in court on that date.
