MACC nabs Sabah assemblyman, businessman over alleged mining scandal
According to the MACC, the suspects are believed to have solicited and received a RM200,000 bribe to facilitate the application of mining licences.
PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested a businessman and a Sabah assemblyman in connection with the mining scandal in the state.
According to an MACC source, the suspects, both of whom carry the 'Datuk' title, were arrested separately at the anti-graft agency's office in Sabah and its headquarters in Putrajaya this morning.
The duo, in their 30s and 60s, are believed to have solicited and received a RM200,000 bribe to facilitate the application of mining licences.
'They are believed to have committed the offence between 2023 and 2024.
'Preliminary investigations also discovered that the two suspects would often solicit and accept bribes to manage the application for mining licences,' the source said.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed the arrests.
He said the authorities were investigating the case under Section 16(b)(A) of the MACC Act involving the giving and accepting of bribes.
Azam said the businessman was released on a RM100,000 bond with two sureties after providing his statement.
He said the assemblyman was also released on a RM50,000 bond with one surety after he had his statement taken.
Earlier today, Azam confirmed that two assemblymen are among three individuals set to be charged in connection with the mining scandal.
He said they would be charged this month, with the Sabah corruption court expected to fix a date soon.
The alleged scandal was reported in 2024 after a series of videos linking several Sabah assemblymen to it were leaked.
The videos allegedly depicted discussions involving bribery and misconduct related to mineral exploration projects in the state.
In February, Azam said the initial batch of videos lacked credibility as they had been heavily edited.
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