Blackmail and Cartels: The Sabah Mining Controversy

The Threats and the Revocation

A businessman believed to be linked to the alleged Sabah mining scandal had attempted to blackmail the state’s chief minister Hajiji Noor to compel his approval of prospecting licences (PLs). According to a source close to the matter, the businessman, whose identity is being withheld, had issued several threats if the PLs were not approved and issued by the state government.

The businessman also insisted that the threats be conveyed to Hajiji. “He repeatedly stated that if the board did not approve the PLs for his companies, he will issue a press release to bring the entire government down,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. However, if Hajiji approved the PLs, the businessman promised not to “destroy the government” but would give the state administration his full backing, the source claimed.

Despite the threats, Hajiji stood his ground. He also did not budge despite the businessman offering him money.

The Video Evidence

Less than two months later, a video allegedly linking several assemblymen to the mining scandal surfaced. On Wednesday, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Youth said videos linked to the controversy clearly show that Hajiji had decided to revoke a PL due to the existence of a cartel.

The Investigation

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating allegations of corruption involving a businessman and several Sabah assemblymen linked to the alleged scandal. FMT had previously reported claims by a source that a cartel said to be at the centre of the alleged scandal had applied for approximately 20 prospecting licences between 2022 and 2024.

The PLs would have granted the cartel, said to consist of a businessman and former director of several state agencies, mining rights for sites with a total area size of 1,000,000 acres, the source claimed.

Conclusion

The Sabah mining controversy is a complex web of alleged corruption and blackmail, involving high-ranking officials and a powerful businessman. The video evidence and testimony from a source close to the matter suggest that Hajiji was threatened and pressured into approving prospecting licences, which he ultimately refused to do. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen whether justice will be served in this case.

FAQs

* Who is the businessman believed to be linked to the alleged Sabah mining scandal?
+ The identity of the businessman is being withheld.
* What were the threats made by the businessman to Hajiji?
+ The businessman threatened to issue a press release to bring down the entire government if the PLs were not approved.
* What is the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigating?
+ The commission is investigating allegations of corruption involving a businessman and several Sabah assemblymen linked to the alleged scandal.